When to Plant Peppers in Alabama
In Alabama, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from Mar 7 – Mar 21 in Mobile to Apr 18 – May 2 in Trussville. In Huntsville, it's Apr 7 – Apr 21. The average last spring frost differs by about 6 weeks across the state (Feb 21 in Mobile, Apr 4 in Trussville), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Peppers need even more warmth than tomatoes. Start them early indoors and set them out once the soil has warmed, two to four weeks after the last frost.
- Start indoors: 8–10 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 2–4 weeks after the last frost.
Peppers planting dates in Alabama by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabaster | 8b | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Albertville | 8a | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Anniston | 8a | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Athens | 8a | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Auburn | 8b | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Bessemer | 8a | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Birmingham | 8a | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Calera | 8b | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Chelsea | 8b | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Cullman | 8a | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Daphne | 9a | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Decatur | 8a | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Dothan | 9a | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Enterprise | 8b | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Fairhope | 9a | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Florence | 8a | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Foley | 9a | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Gadsden | 8a | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Gulf Shores | 9a | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Helena | 8a | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Homewood | 8b | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Hoover | 8a | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Huntsville | 8a | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Madison | 8a | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Millbrook | 8b | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Mobile | 9a | Dec 13 – Dec 27 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Montgomery | 8b | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Mountain Brook | 8b | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Muscle Shoals | 8a | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Northport | 8b | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Opelika | 8a | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Oxford | 8a | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Pelham | 8b | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Phenix City | 8b | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Prattville | 8b | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Prichard | 9a | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Troy | 8b | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Trussville | 8a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Tuscaloosa | 8b | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Vestavia Hills | 8b | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Alabama, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
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