When to plant in Decatur, AL
USDA Zone 8aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Decatur, Alabama — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 8a, Decatur supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
DECATUR 4SE · 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 Decatur’s own odds, recorded at DECATUR 4SE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 22 | Apr 5 | Mar 21 | Oct 16 | Oct 29 | Nov 11 |
| 32°F | Apr 9 | Mar 26 | Mar 5 | Oct 26 | Nov 7 | Nov 26 |
| 28°F | Mar 30 | Mar 12 | Feb 21 | Nov 4 | Nov 19 | Dec 10 |
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 Decatur, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 16 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.
Decatur planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Decatur, AL?
On average, the last spring frost in Decatur is around March 26 (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 Decatur, AL?
In Decatur, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around November 7 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Decatur in?
Decatur is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Decatur?
Decatur has about 226 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (March 26) and first fall frost (November 7).
When should I plant tomatoes in Decatur?
For Decatur, sow tomatoes indoors about January 29–February 12 and move the seedlings out around April 2, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Decatur
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Decatur’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Hartselle · 15 km
- Athens · 23 km
- Madison · 26 km
- Huntsville · 32 km
- Cullman · 46 km
- Meridianville · 50 km
- Muscle Shoals · 62 km
- Florence · 68 km
Frost dates recorded at DECATUR 4SE, 5 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 Decatur, AL — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00012209. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/alabama/decatur.