Planting Calendar for ZIP 35020
Based on your local frost dates - last spring frost around Mar 23, first fall frost around Nov 10 - here is when to plant 79 common crops near ZIP 35020.
Last spring frost
Mar 23
First fall frost
Nov 10
Hardiness zone
8a
Vegetables
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 9 | Mar 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peppers | Jan 26 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cucumbers | Mar 2 | Mar 30 (Transplant out) | Sep 2 |
| Zucchini | Mar 2 | Mar 30 (Transplant out) | Sep 7 |
| Summer Squash | Mar 2 | Mar 30 (Transplant out) | Sep 5 |
| Winter Squash | Mar 2 | Mar 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Pumpkins | Mar 2 | Mar 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Green Beans | - | Mar 23 (Direct sow) | Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | - | Mar 30 (Direct sow) | - |
| Melons | Mar 2 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| Watermelon | Mar 2 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| Okra | - | Apr 6 (Direct sow) | - |
| Eggplant | Jan 26 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 | Feb 23 (Transplant out) | Sep 7 |
| Spinach | - | Feb 9 (Direct sow) | Sep 12 |
| Kale | Feb 9 | Mar 2 (Transplant out) | Sep 2 |
| Peas | - | Feb 9 (Direct sow) | Aug 28 |
| Carrots | - | Mar 2 (Direct sow) | Aug 18 |
| Beets | - | Feb 23 (Direct sow) | Sep 2 |
| Radishes | - | Feb 23 (Direct sow) | Sep 29 |
| Broccoli | Feb 9 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | Aug 23 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Feb 9 | Mar 2 (Transplant out) | Aug 18 |
| Onions | Jan 12 | Feb 23 (Transplant out) | - |
| Potatoes | - | Mar 9 (Direct sow) | - |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 23 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | Sep 2 |
| Sweet Potatoes | - | Apr 13 (Direct sow) | - |
| Brussels Sprouts | Feb 9 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | Jul 19 |
| Celery | Jan 12 | Mar 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Leeks | Jan 12 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | Jun 29 |
| Turnips | - | Mar 9 (Direct sow) | Sep 7 |
| Rutabaga | - | Mar 23 (Direct sow) | Jul 24 |
| Parsnips | - | Mar 9 (Direct sow) | Jun 29 |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 23 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | Sep 2 |
| Collard Greens | Feb 9 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | Aug 23 |
| Mustard Greens | - | Mar 9 (Direct sow) | Sep 12 |
| Arugula | - | Mar 9 (Direct sow) | Sep 17 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 23 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | Sep 7 |
| Green Onions | - | Mar 9 (Direct sow) | Aug 28 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 9 | Mar 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fennel | Feb 23 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | Aug 8 |
| Popcorn | Mar 23 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| Black-Eyed Peas | Mar 23 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | Aug 8 |
| Lima Beans | Mar 23 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| Edamame | Mar 23 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peanuts | Mar 23 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| Globe Artichoke | Jan 26 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | Jul 29 |
| Horseradish | Mar 23 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | - |
| Ground Cherries | Feb 9 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| Radicchio | Feb 16 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | Aug 18 |
| Endive | Feb 16 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | Jul 29 |
| Watercress | Mar 2 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | Aug 28 |
| Sorrel | Feb 9 | Mar 2 (Transplant out) | Aug 28 |
| Sunchokes | Mar 23 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | - |
| Malabar Spinach | Feb 9 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| Amaranth Greens | Mar 2 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | Sep 12 |
| Luffa Gourd | Feb 9 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| New Zealand Spinach | Feb 23 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fava Beans | Mar 23 | Feb 23 (Transplant out) | Aug 3 |
| Chayote | Feb 23 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| Corn Salad | Mar 23 | Feb 23 (Transplant out) | Aug 28 |
| Bitter Melon | Feb 23 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cardoon | Feb 9 | Mar 23 (Transplant out) | - |
Herbs
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Feb 9 | Mar 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cilantro | - | Mar 9 (Direct sow) | Sep 7 |
| Parsley | Jan 26 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | Aug 13 |
| Dill | - | Mar 30 (Direct sow) | Aug 28 |
| Lemon Balm | Feb 9 | Mar 23 (Transplant out) | - |
| Borage | Mar 23 | Mar 23 (Transplant out) | Sep 2 |
| Chervil | Mar 23 | Mar 2 (Transplant out) | Sep 2 |
| Lemongrass | Jan 26 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| Summer Savory | Feb 9 | Mar 23 (Transplant out) | - |
| Marjoram | Feb 9 | Mar 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lovage | Feb 9 | Mar 23 (Transplant out) | Jul 29 |
| Anise Hyssop | Jan 26 | Mar 23 (Transplant out) | - |
| Shiso | Feb 9 | Mar 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Stevia | Jan 26 | Apr 6 (Transplant out) | - |
| Chamomile | Feb 9 | Mar 9 (Transplant out) | Aug 23 |
| Tarragon | Mar 23 | Mar 23 (Transplant out) | - |
How to read this calendar
Start seeds indoors is when to sow in trays inside so seedlings are ready to transplant. Plant outside is when to transplant seedlings or direct-sow seed, based on frost tolerance. Fall planting by is the latest date to start a fall crop and still harvest before the first fall frost. Tender crops wait until after the last spring frost; hardy crops can go out earlier.
Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Bessemer 3 Wsw, Al, 3.2 miles away. Averages for planning, not a forecast. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.