When to plant in Alabaster, AL
USDA Zone 8bAlabaster, Alabama frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
A generous ~249-day season lets Alabaster gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. Zone 8b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Alabaster, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
The average last spring frost in Alabaster is now 7 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
ALABASTER SHELBY CO AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Alabaster’s own odds, recorded at ALABASTER SHELBY CO AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 14 | Mar 27 | Mar 7 | Oct 23 | Nov 4 | Nov 21 |
| 32°F | Mar 31 | Mar 12 | Feb 20 | Nov 1 | Nov 16 | Dec 4 |
| 28°F | Mar 17 | Feb 27 | Jan 31 | Nov 10 | Dec 1 | Dec 28 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Alabaster, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 26 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Alabaster planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Alabaster, AL?
On average, the last spring frost in Alabaster is around March 12 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Alabaster, AL?
The first fall frost in Alabaster typically arrives around November 16 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Alabaster in?
Alabaster is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Alabaster?
There are roughly 249 frost-free days in Alabaster (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 12 to the first fall frost near November 16.
When should I plant tomatoes in Alabaster?
In Alabaster, start tomato seeds indoors around January 15–January 29, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 19 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Alabaster
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Alabaster’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at ALABASTER SHELBY CO AP, 6 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Alabaster, AL — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00053864. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/alabama/alabaster.