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

Planting zone for 35242 — Birmingham, AL

ZIP code 35242 (Birmingham, Shelby County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 35242 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 21
First frostNov 11
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 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 30
Growing season236 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 7 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Birmingham Airport, AL — 11 miles away, elevation 617 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 35242

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 16 – Sep 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 21) and first fall frost (Nov 11) 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 35242 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).

Native plants for zone 8b in Alabama

569 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Alabama, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 83

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FAtlantic white cedar50 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Shrubs 130

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 176

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °FAmerican water horehound1.8 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 157

American cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbig cordgrass8 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −3 °F

Vines 13

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Birmingham, AL.

Soil in Birmingham, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35242 is Minvale — gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Minvale-Fullerton, complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes.

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 35242; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Birmingham, AL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, January
Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights47nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,764base 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
Precipitation58.5 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 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 69 °F 88°69° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 72 °F 91°72° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 43 °F 65°43° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 38 °F 57°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.41 in precipitation 5.4 JanFebruary: 5.67 in precipitation 5.7 FebMarch: 5.43 in precipitation 5.4 MarApril: 5.17 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 4.84 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 5.45 in precipitation 5.5 JulAugust: 4.74 in precipitation 4.7 AugSeptember: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 NovDecember: 5.36 in precipitation 5.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Birmingham Airport, AL (11 mi away); precipitation: Meadowbrook 1.7 E, AL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

352438b
Birmingham, AL · 4 mi
352238b
Birmingham, AL · 6 mi
352168b
Birmingham, AL · 7 mi
352138b
Birmingham, AL · 7 mi
352298b
Birmingham, AL · 8 mi
350438b
Chelsea, AL · 8 mi
351478a
Sterrett, AL · 8 mi
352108a
Birmingham, AL · 8 mi

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

Questions about 35242

What planting zone is ZIP code 35242?

ZIP code 35242 (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 35242 is March 21; after April 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Birmingham Airport station.

When is the first frost in Birmingham, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35242 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 236 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35242?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 24 – Feb 7 and set transplants outside around Mar 28 – Apr 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35242 get?

About 58.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Meadowbrook 1.7 E station).

How hot do summers get in Birmingham, AL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35242 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Minvale at the center of ZIP 35242: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Birmingham, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35242 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 35242 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35242 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35242 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.