Planting Calendar for ZIP 35042
Based on your local frost dates - last spring frost around Apr 2, first fall frost around Nov 2 - here is when to plant 79 common crops near ZIP 35042.
Last spring frost
Apr 2
First fall frost
Nov 2
Hardiness zone
8a
Vegetables
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 19 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peppers | Feb 5 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cucumbers | Mar 12 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Aug 25 |
| Zucchini | Mar 12 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Aug 30 |
| Summer Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Aug 28 |
| Winter Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | - |
| Pumpkins | Mar 12 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | - |
| Green Beans | - | Apr 2 (Direct sow) | Aug 25 |
| Sweet Corn | - | Apr 9 (Direct sow) | - |
| Melons | Mar 12 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| Watermelon | Mar 12 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| Okra | - | Apr 16 (Direct sow) | - |
| Eggplant | Feb 5 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 | Mar 5 (Transplant out) | Aug 30 |
| Spinach | - | Feb 19 (Direct sow) | Sep 4 |
| Kale | Feb 19 | Mar 12 (Transplant out) | Aug 25 |
| Peas | - | Feb 19 (Direct sow) | Aug 20 |
| Carrots | - | Mar 12 (Direct sow) | Aug 10 |
| Beets | - | Mar 5 (Direct sow) | Aug 25 |
| Radishes | - | Mar 5 (Direct sow) | Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 19 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 19 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Feb 19 | Mar 12 (Transplant out) | Aug 10 |
| Onions | Jan 22 | Mar 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Potatoes | - | Mar 19 (Direct sow) | - |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 5 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | Aug 25 |
| Sweet Potatoes | - | Apr 23 (Direct sow) | - |
| Brussels Sprouts | Feb 19 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | Jul 11 |
| Celery | Jan 22 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | - |
| Leeks | Jan 22 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | Jun 21 |
| Turnips | - | Mar 19 (Direct sow) | Aug 30 |
| Rutabaga | - | Apr 2 (Direct sow) | Jul 16 |
| Parsnips | - | Mar 19 (Direct sow) | Jun 21 |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 5 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | Aug 25 |
| Collard Greens | Feb 19 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | Aug 15 |
| Mustard Greens | - | Mar 19 (Direct sow) | Sep 4 |
| Arugula | - | Mar 19 (Direct sow) | Sep 9 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 5 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | Aug 30 |
| Green Onions | - | Mar 19 (Direct sow) | Aug 20 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 19 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fennel | Mar 5 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | Jul 31 |
| Popcorn | Apr 2 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| Black-Eyed Peas | Apr 2 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | Jul 31 |
| Lima Beans | Apr 2 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| Edamame | Apr 2 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peanuts | Apr 2 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| Globe Artichoke | Feb 5 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | Jul 21 |
| Horseradish | Apr 2 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | - |
| Ground Cherries | Feb 19 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| Radicchio | Feb 26 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | Aug 10 |
| Endive | Feb 26 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | Jul 21 |
| Watercress | Mar 12 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | Aug 20 |
| Sorrel | Feb 19 | Mar 12 (Transplant out) | Aug 20 |
| Sunchokes | Apr 2 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | - |
| Malabar Spinach | Feb 19 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| Amaranth Greens | Mar 12 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | Sep 4 |
| Luffa Gourd | Feb 19 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| New Zealand Spinach | Mar 5 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fava Beans | Apr 2 | Mar 5 (Transplant out) | Jul 26 |
| Chayote | Mar 5 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| Corn Salad | Apr 2 | Mar 5 (Transplant out) | Aug 20 |
| Bitter Melon | Mar 5 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cardoon | Feb 19 | Apr 2 (Transplant out) | - |
Herbs
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Feb 19 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cilantro | - | Mar 19 (Direct sow) | Aug 30 |
| Parsley | Feb 5 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | Aug 5 |
| Dill | - | Apr 9 (Direct sow) | Aug 20 |
| Lemon Balm | Feb 19 | Apr 2 (Transplant out) | - |
| Borage | Apr 2 | Apr 2 (Transplant out) | Aug 25 |
| Chervil | Apr 2 | Mar 12 (Transplant out) | Aug 25 |
| Lemongrass | Feb 5 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| Summer Savory | Feb 19 | Apr 2 (Transplant out) | - |
| Marjoram | Feb 19 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lovage | Feb 19 | Apr 2 (Transplant out) | Jul 21 |
| Anise Hyssop | Feb 5 | Apr 2 (Transplant out) | - |
| Shiso | Feb 19 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | - |
| Stevia | Feb 5 | Apr 16 (Transplant out) | - |
| Chamomile | Feb 19 | Mar 19 (Transplant out) | Aug 15 |
| Tarragon | Apr 2 | Apr 2 (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 Centreville 6 Sw, Al, 7.8 miles away. Averages for planning, not a forecast. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.