USDA zone 8a in Alabama
USDA plant hardiness zone 8a covers 55 locations across Alabama (average annual extreme minimum 10 to 15 °F): Addison, AL, Albertville, AL, Alexander, AL, Anniston, AL, Arley, AL, Athens, AL, and 49 more. Average last spring frost across this group ranges March 12 (Brantleyville) to April 11 (Camp Hill), and growing seasons run 201–250 days (Camp Hill to Gordo) — even within one state, because hardiness sets winter survival, not planting dates. The table below gives every Alabama location's own frost dates; the printable planting calendar uses Sulligent, this group's median-season location.
- USDA zone
- 8a10 to 15 °F
- Last frost range
- Mar 12–Apr 11avg, 32°F
- First frost range
- Oct 27–Nov 19avg, 32°F
- Growing season range
- 201–250days
Locations in this group
Every location below shares this zone and a nearby weather station, but keeps its own frost dates — find your town for its own numbers, or use the ZIP planner on the home page for an instant personalized answer.
| Location | Also covers | Nearest station | Last frost | First frost | Season (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addison | — | Addison | Apr 4 | Nov 1 | 210 |
| Albertville | Boaz, Arab, Douglas, Union Grove | Guntersville | Mar 19 | Nov 18 | 244 |
| Alexander | Dadeville, Daviston, Jacksons' Gap, Equality, Kellyton | Alexander City | Mar 26 | Nov 8 | 227 |
| Anniston | Oxford, Alexandria, Delta, Ohatchee, West End-Cobb, Weaver, +1 more | Anniston Metro Ap | Mar 23 | Nov 9 | 231 |
| Arley | West Point, Colony, Berlin | Saint Bernard | Mar 31 | Nov 1 | 215 |
| Athens | Harvest, Elkmont | Athens | Mar 20 | Nov 12 | 238 |
| Berry | Fayette, Belk | Fayette | Mar 20 | Nov 9 | 234 |
| Bessemer | Adamsville, Sylvan Springs, West Blocton, Fairfield, Rock Creek, Midfield | Bessemer 3 Wsw | Mar 23 | Nov 10 | 231 |
| Birmingham | Trussville, Moody, Gardendale, Leeds, Vandiver, Irondale, +9 more | Birmingham Ap | Mar 21 | Nov 11 | 236 |
| Blountsville | Baileyton, Eva, Falkville, Holly Pond, Fairview, Joppa | Cullman Nahs | Apr 7 | Oct 29 | 204 |
| Brantleyville | Wilton | Alabaster Shelby Co Ap | Mar 12 | Nov 16 | 248 |
| Broomtown | — | Valley Head | Apr 8 | Oct 29 | 202 |
| Camp Hill | — | Camp Hill 2nw | Apr 11 | Oct 27 | 201 |
| Carrollton | — | Aliceville | Mar 24 | Nov 8 | 230 |
| Centre | Cedar Bluff | Centre | Apr 6 | Oct 31 | 207 |
| Centreville | Brent, Maplesville | Centreville 6 Sw | Apr 2 | Nov 2 | 215 |
| Clanton | — | Clanton | Mar 24 | Nov 10 | 233 |
| Clanton | Shelby, Thorsby, Maplesville | Thorsby Exp Stn | Mar 21 | Nov 11 | 235 |
| Crossville | Leesburg, Fyffe, Geraldine, Collinsville, Lakeview | Sand Mt Substn | Mar 31 | Nov 3 | 217 |
| Decatur | Mooresville | Decatur Pryor Fld | Mar 27 | Nov 3 | 221 |
| Florence | Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Sheffield, Underwood-Petersville, Rogersville, Leighton, +1 more | Muscle Shoals Rgnl Ap | Mar 20 | Nov 8 | 233 |
| Gantt | — | Andalusia 3 W | Mar 25 | Nov 9 | 230 |
| Glen Allen | Carbon Hill, Kansas | Winfield 2 Sw | Apr 4 | Nov 1 | 211 |
| Gordo | Coker | Tuscaloosa Acfd | Mar 12 | Nov 15 | 250 |
| Guntersville | Grant | Guntersville No.2 | Mar 17 | Nov 19 | 247 |
| Harpersville | Vincent, Vandiver, Westover, Childersburg, Wilsonville, Bon Air | Childersburg Wtp | Mar 31 | Nov 2 | 216 |
| Hartselle | — | Decatur 4se | Mar 26 | Nov 7 | 228 |
| Hayden | Dodge, Garden, Nectar | Hanceville | Apr 6 | Oct 29 | 205 |
| Heflin | Choccolocco, Piedmont, Ranburne, Woodland, Fruithurst | Heflin | Apr 6 | Oct 31 | 206 |
| Hoover | — | Helena | Mar 19 | Nov 8 | 236 |
| Huntsville | Somerville, Triana, Mooresville | Huntsville Intl Ap | Mar 24 | Nov 8 | 229 |
| Huntsville | Moores Mill, New Hope, Owens Cross Roads, Gurley | Owens Cross Roads 3s | Apr 4 | Oct 30 | 210 |
| Jasper | Oakman, Sipsey | Jasper | Mar 30 | Nov 4 | 220 |
| La Fayette | Wadley, Five Points | Lafayette 2w | Apr 9 | Oct 30 | 204 |
| Lincoln | Pell, Ragland, Riverside, Waldo | Talladega | Apr 5 | Nov 1 | 208 |
| Lineville | Ashland, Wedowee, Goldville | Ashland 3 Ene | Apr 4 | Nov 1 | 211 |
| Meridianville | — | Fayetteville Wtp | Apr 7 | Oct 28 | 201 |
| Montgomery | — | Montgomery Ap | Mar 13 | Nov 13 | 244 |
| Moody | Remlap, Odenville, Pinson, Argo, Warrior, Springville, +4 more | Pinson | Apr 4 | Nov 1 | 212 |
| Mooresville | — | Belle Mina 2 N | Mar 31 | Nov 1 | 214 |
| Moulton | Trinity, Courtland, Town Creek, Hillsboro, Hatton | Moulton 2 | Apr 2 | Oct 31 | 209 |
| Northport | Berry, Cordova, Holt, Oakman, Parrish, West Jefferson, +1 more | Bankhead L&d | Mar 20 | Nov 11 | 235 |
| Oneonta | Walnut Grove, Altoona, Allgood | Oneonta | Mar 26 | Nov 10 | 230 |
| Opelika | Waverly, Cusseta | Opelika | Mar 29 | Nov 5 | 223 |
| Phil Campbell | Nauvoo | Haleyville | Mar 29 | Nov 9 | 228 |
| Rainbow | Ballplay, Southside, Glencoe, Ragland, Gallant, Jacksonville, +4 more | Gadsden | Mar 19 | Nov 13 | 240 |
| Rainsville | Pine Ridge | Ft Payne | Mar 29 | Nov 8 | 225 |
| Red Bay | Fulton, Tremont, Mantachie, Mooreville, Smithville | Fulton 3 W | Apr 1 | Oct 31 | 212 |
| Reform | Caledonia, Ethelsville | Columbus | Mar 13 | Nov 12 | 244 |
| Roanoke | Franklin | Rock Mills | Apr 2 | Nov 3 | 216 |
| Rockford | — | Rockford 3 Ese | Mar 25 | Nov 11 | 230 |
| Russellville | Belgreen | Russellville #2 | Mar 31 | Nov 4 | 221 |
| Sulligent * | Vernon, Millport, Kennedy, Caledonia, Gattman | Vernon | Mar 29 | Nov 5 | 222 |
| Sylacauga | Hollins, Millerville, Goodwater, Weogufka, Mignon, Oak Grove | Sylacauga 4 Ne | Apr 2 | Oct 31 | 211 |
| Woodville | Langston, Section, Gurley, Pleasant Groves, Dutton | Scottsboro | Apr 4 | Oct 30 | 209 |
* Sulligent is this group's median-season location — the calendar below is computed from its data.
Data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (public domain) and USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023. Planting windows synthesized from U.S. Cooperative Extension guides.
Planting calendar (Sulligent, representative)
Computed from Sulligent's average frost dates — the median-season location in this Alabamazone 8a group. hatched = start seeds indoors, solid green = plant out, teal = a fall sowing, and the terracotta dot marks the estimated first harvest. Ranges are extension-guide planning guidance, not guarantees — your own location's dates may run a week or two earlier or later (see the table above).
- Start indoors
- Plant out
- Fall sowing
- First harvest
| Crop | Frost tolerance | Start indoors | Plant out | First harvest | Fall planting | Season fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Tender | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | Jun 4 – Jun 24 | — | matures comfortably |
| Pepper | Very tender | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | Jun 11 – Jul 11 | — | matures comfortably |
| Cucumber | Tender | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 25 – Jun 14 | — | matures comfortably |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Tender | — | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 20 – Jun 4 | — | matures comfortably |
| Bush bean | Tender | — | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 25 – Jun 4 | Sep 6 – Sep 16 | matures comfortably |
| Sweet corn | Tender | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 28 – Jun 27 | — | matures comfortably |
| Basil | Very tender | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 5 – May 20 | — | matures comfortably |
| Lettuce | Half-hardy | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 15 – Apr 30 | Aug 23 – Sep 7 | matures comfortably |
| Pea | Hardy | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 11 – Apr 26 | Aug 13 – Aug 28 | matures comfortably |
| Spinach | Hardy | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 27 – Apr 6 | Sep 2 – Sep 12 | matures comfortably |
| Carrot | Half-hardy | — | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | May 7 – May 27 | Aug 3 – Aug 23 | matures comfortably |
| Broccoli | Half-hardy | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 25 – May 15 | Aug 8 – Aug 28 | matures comfortably |
Which crops fit this growing season
Using Sulligent's own 222-day growing season (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020 median) against each crop's real days-to-maturity range: 12 of 12 crops mature here with comfortable margin. A different location in the table above with a longer or shorter season will get a different mix — the ZIP planner on the home page gives your own.
Frost & freeze dates (Sulligent)
From NOAA's 1991–2020 Climate Normals at station USC00018517. The median (p50) is the average date; the 90%-safe column is the date the freeze has passed in about 9 years out of 10 — the conservative date to plant after or harvest before.
| Threshold | Last spring — avg | Last spring — 90%-safe | First fall — avg | First fall — 90%-safe | Season (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 10 | Apr 25 | Oct 27 | Nov 11 | 201 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 29 | Apr 16 | Nov 5 | Nov 27 | 222 |
| 28°F | Mar 13 | Apr 5 | Nov 19 | Dec 9 | 249 |
| 24°F | Feb 26 | Mar 19 | Dec 3 | Jan 1 | 283 |
Growing degree days
Growing degree days (GDD) accumulate warmth above a base temperature over the year — a better predictor of crop development than the calendar alone. This group's median GDD (base 50°F) across all 55 locations is 5,142; Sulligent's own reading is shown below.
| Model | °F·days | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Base 50°F (warm-season) | 5,656 | standard warm-season base (tomato, corn, beans) |
| Base 40°F (cool-season) | 8,771 | cool-season crops (brassicas, greens) |
Hardiness zone 8a in Alabama
Zone 8a means an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of about 10 to 15 °F on the USDA's 2023 map — the number that tells you which perennials, shrubs, and trees reliably survive an average winter here. It does not set your planting dates, which come from the frost calendar above. Alabama spans 5 hardiness zones in this dataset — see all Alabama locations for the full range, including zones7b, 8b, 9a, 9b.
Explore zone 8a in other states at zone 8a, or see all USDA hardiness zones.
Frequently asked questions
- What does USDA hardiness zone 8a mean in Alabama?
- Zone 8a means an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of 10 to 15 °F — the standard USDA measure of which perennials survive winter. 55 locations in Alabama fall in this zone. It does not set planting dates; see the frost calendar below for that.
- Where in Alabama's zone 8a is the growing season longest?
- Gordo runs the longest season on this page at about 250 days; Camp Hill is shortest at about 201 days — they share the same hardiness zone, but they sit at different weather stations, so their frost calendars differ.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Alabama's zone 8a?
- Using Sulligent's frost dates (this page's median-season location): start seeds indoors about Feb 1 – Feb 15, then transplant outside about Apr 5 – Apr 12. Your own location in the table above may differ by a week or two — use the ZIP planner on the home page for your exact station's dates.
- Does every location in Alabama's zone 8a have the same frost dates?
- No — they do not all share a weather station, so frost dates vary by a week or more across the 55 locations listed (see the table above for each location's own dates).
Sources & method
Frost, freeze, growing-season, and growing-degree-day figures are NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, one reading per location's own nearest station (see the table above). The hardiness zone is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023, matched to each location's ZIP. Planting windows are computed by counting from the average last and first frost using per-crop offsets synthesized from U.S. Cooperative Extension guides — the full method and citations are on the methodology page.