Frost dates for 35147Sterrett, AL
The average last spring frost in Sterrett is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 148 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) | Mar 26 · Apr 11 · Apr 27 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 5 | 195 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 31 · Apr 16 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 16 · Apr 4 | Oct 31 · Nov 12 · Dec 3 | 243 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sterrett
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 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35147 is matched to the NOAA station Childersburg Wtp, AL, 22.6 km away, at 418 ft elevation (136 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Childersburg Wtp, AL (used) | 418 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 2 |
| Birmingham Ap, AL | 615 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 11 |
| Pinson, AL | 608 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 1 |
| Talladega, AL | 448 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Sterrett
- Vandiver, AL 35176 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Vincent, AL 35178 · last Mar 31, first Nov 2
- Leeds, AL 35094 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Westover, AL 35185 · last Mar 31, first Nov 2
- Harpersville, AL 35078 · last Mar 31, first Nov 2
- Moody, AL 35004 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Cook Springs, AL 35052 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Birmingham, AL 35210 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sterrett, AL?
- For ZIP code 35147, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Childersburg Wtp, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in Sterrett, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 35147?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.