Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 35211 — Birmingham, AL

ZIP code 35211 (Birmingham, Jefferson County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 35211 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMar 23
First frostNov 10
2012 zone8a

Was 8a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Birmingham, AL…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Birmingham, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 27
Growing season231 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 9 and returns around November 23.

From the NOAA station Bessemer 3 Wsw, AL — 9 miles away, elevation 446 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 35211

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Mar 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 15 – Sep 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 23) and first fall frost (Nov 10) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 35211 came on Feb 13 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Birmingham, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35211 is Bodine — gravelly silt loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bodine-Fullerton-Urban land complex, steep.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 35211; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Birmingham, AL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days80days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights57nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,646base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 22 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 56 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation58.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° JanFebruary: average high 61 °F, low 37 °F 61°37° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° MarApril: average high 76 °F, low 50 °F 76°50° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 59 °F 83°59° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 71 °F 92°71° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 70 °F 92°70° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 64 °F 87°64° SepOctober: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 JanFebruary: 5.49 in precipitation 5.5 FebMarch: 5.70 in precipitation 5.7 MarApril: 5.20 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 5.40 in precipitation 5.4 JunJuly: 5.23 in precipitation 5.2 JulAugust: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 NovDecember: 5.22 in precipitation 5.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bessemer 3 Wsw, AL (9 mi away); precipitation: Fairfield 1.8 Ne, AL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

5 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

352218a
Birmingham, AL · 2 mi
352088a
Birmingham, AL · 3 mi
352288a
Birmingham, AL · 3 mi
350648b
Fairfield, AL · 3 mi
352098b
Birmingham, AL · 3 mi
351428b
Shannon, AL · 3 mi
352888a
Birmingham, AL · 4 mi
352188a
Birmingham, AL · 4 mi

All 61 ZIP codes in Birmingham → · Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35211

What planting zone is ZIP code 35211?

ZIP code 35211 (Birmingham, AL) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Birmingham, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35211 is March 23; after April 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bessemer 3 Wsw station.

When is the first frost in Birmingham, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35211 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 231 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35211?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 26 – Feb 9 and set transplants outside around Mar 30 – Apr 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35211 get?

About 58.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fairfield 1.8 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Birmingham, AL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 80 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35211 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bodine at the center of ZIP 35211: gravelly silt loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Birmingham, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35211 came on Feb 13 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Birmingham, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35211 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35211 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35211 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.