Frost dates for 35403Tuscaloosa, AL
The average last spring frost in Tuscaloosa is March 12 and the average first fall frost is November 15, giving a typical growing season of about 250 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 12
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 15
- Growing season
- 250 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 2 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 12 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 6 · Mar 28 · Apr 15 | Oct 24 · Nov 4 · Nov 19 | 222 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 12 · Apr 2 | Nov 2 · Nov 15 · Dec 4 | 250 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 2 · Feb 28 · Mar 18 | Nov 11 · Dec 1 · Dec 30 | 277 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tuscaloosa
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 9 – Apr 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – May 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Apr 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Jan 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 5 – Dec 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35403 is matched to the NOAA station Tuscaloosa Acfd, AL, 8.3 km away, at 169 ft elevation (103 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa Acfd, AL (used) | 169 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 15 |
| Northport 2 S, AL | 150 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 10 |
| Tuscaloosa Muni Ap, AL | 150 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 12 |
| Bankhead L&D, AL | 280 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Tuscaloosa
- Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 · last Mar 12, first Nov 15
- Northport, AL 35476 · last Mar 16, first Nov 12
- Peterson, AL 35478 · last Mar 20, first Nov 11
- Samantha, AL 35482 · last Mar 20, first Nov 11
- Cottondale, AL 35453 · last Mar 12, first Nov 15
- Duncanville, AL 35456 · last Mar 12, first Nov 15
- Coker, AL 35452 · last Mar 12, first Nov 15
- Coaling, AL 35449 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tuscaloosa, AL?
- For ZIP code 35403, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tuscaloosa Acfd, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 2.
- When is the first frost in Tuscaloosa, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 35403?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 250 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.