When to plant in Madison, AL
USDA Zone 8aMadison, Alabama frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 8a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Madison, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
HUNTSVILLE INTL 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 Madison’s own odds, recorded at HUNTSVILLE INTL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 19 | Apr 4 | Mar 17 | Oct 17 | Oct 30 | Nov 12 |
| 32°F | Apr 8 | Mar 24 | Mar 4 | Oct 27 | Nov 8 | Nov 25 |
| 28°F | Mar 29 | Mar 10 | Feb 19 | Nov 3 | Nov 20 | Dec 8 |
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 Madison, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 18 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.
Madison planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Madison, AL?
Madison's average last spring frost falls near March 24 — 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 Madison, AL?
In Madison, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around November 8 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Madison in?
Madison is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Madison?
There are roughly 229 frost-free days in Madison (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 24 to the first fall frost near November 8.
When should I plant tomatoes in Madison?
In Madison, start tomato seeds indoors around January 27–February 10, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 31 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Madison
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Madison’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Huntsville · 8 km
- Athens · 19 km
- Meridianville · 25 km
- Decatur · 26 km
- Hartselle · 34 km
- Cullman · 60 km
- Scottsboro · 66 km
- Albertville · 71 km
Frost dates recorded at HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, 8 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 Madison, AL — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00003856. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/alabama/madison.