Frost dates for 32538Paxton, FL
The average last spring frost in Paxton is March 4 and the average first fall frost is November 26, giving a typical growing season of about 265 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 26
- Growing season
- 265 days
Safer after Mar 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 7 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 23 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 19 · Apr 7 | Oct 28 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 238 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 6 · Mar 4 · Mar 22 | Nov 7 · Nov 26 · Dec 25 | 265 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 18 · Feb 15 · Mar 14 | Nov 17 · Dec 13 · Jan 19 | 299 days | 97% |
Planting calendar for Paxton
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Apr 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Aug 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Mar 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – May 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Aug 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 21 – Jan 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Feb 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Apr 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Oct 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 16 – Dec 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 32538 is matched to the NOAA station Florala Muni Ap, AL, 8 km away, at 314 ft elevation (8 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florala Muni Ap, AL (used) | 314 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 26 |
| Crestview Bob Sikes Ap, FL | 190 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 12 |
| De Funiak Springs 1 E, FL | 245 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 28 |
| Andalusia Opp Ap, AL | 310 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 28 |
Frost dates near Paxton
- Lockhart, AL 36455 · last Mar 4, first Nov 26
- Florala, AL 36442 · last Mar 4, first Nov 26
- Laurel Hill, FL 32567 · last Mar 21, first Nov 12
- Defuniak Springs, FL 32433 · last Mar 21, first Nov 12
- Mossy Head, FL 32434 · last Mar 21, first Nov 12
- Crestview, FL 32539 · last Mar 21, first Nov 12
- Samson, AL 36477 · last Mar 23, first Nov 7
- Kinston, AL 36453 · last Mar 9, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Paxton, FL?
- For ZIP code 32538, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Florala Muni Ap, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 22.
- When is the first frost in Paxton, FL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 32538?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 265 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.