When to plant in Jacksonville, AL
USDA Zone 8aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Jacksonville, Alabama — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Jacksonville's nearest full-normals station sits about 23 km out, so treat these as a close estimate — local microclimate can nudge your first and last frost. Zone 8a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Jacksonville, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
HEFLIN · 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 Jacksonville’s own odds, recorded at HEFLIN.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 4 | Apr 20 | Apr 4 | Oct 9 | Oct 22 | Nov 2 |
| 32°F | Apr 22 | Apr 6 | Mar 20 | Oct 19 | Oct 31 | Nov 12 |
| 28°F | Apr 10 | Mar 25 | Mar 2 | Oct 27 | Nov 9 | Nov 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 Jacksonville, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 32 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.
Jacksonville planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Jacksonville, AL?
Jacksonville's average last spring frost falls near April 6 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Jacksonville, AL?
Expect Jacksonville's first fall frost near October 31 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Jacksonville in?
Jacksonville is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Jacksonville?
There are roughly 208 frost-free days in Jacksonville (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 6 to the first fall frost near October 31.
When should I plant tomatoes in Jacksonville?
In Jacksonville, start tomato seeds indoors around February 9–February 23, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 13 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Jacksonville
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Jacksonville’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at HEFLIN, 23 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 Jacksonville, AL — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00013775. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/alabama/jacksonville.