Frost dates for 35448Clinton, AL
The average last spring frost in Clinton is March 19 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 239 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 239 days
Safer after Apr 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 14 · Apr 2 · Apr 20 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 213 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 19 · Apr 8 | Oct 28 · Nov 8 · Nov 29 | 239 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 8 · Mar 2 · Mar 24 | Nov 4 · Nov 22 · Dec 14 | 266 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Clinton
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 16 – Apr 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – May 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Mar 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35448 is matched to the NOAA station Gainesville Lock, AL, 15.9 km away, at 125 ft elevation (32 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville Lock, AL (used) | 125 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 8 |
| Gainesville 2 Ne, AL | 107 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 13 |
| Aliceville, AL | 195 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 8 |
| Greensboro 2 Wnw, AL | 280 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Clinton
- Eutaw, AL 35462 · last Mar 19, first Nov 8
- West Greene, AL 35491 · last Mar 19, first Nov 8
- Boligee, AL 35443 · last Mar 19, first Nov 8
- Gainesville, AL 35464 · last Mar 19, first Nov 8
- Knoxville, AL 35469 · last Mar 12, first Nov 15
- Panola, AL 35477 · last Mar 19, first Nov 8
- Akron, AL 35441 · last Mar 18, first Nov 12
- Aliceville, AL 35442 · last Mar 24, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Clinton, AL?
- For ZIP code 35448, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gainesville Lock, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 8.
- When is the first frost in Clinton, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 35448?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 239 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.