Frost dates for 35482Samantha, AL
The average last spring frost in Samantha is March 20 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 235 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 20
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 235 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 15 · Apr 2 · Apr 18 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 15 | 212 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 20 · Apr 9 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Nov 30 | 235 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 11 · Mar 4 · Mar 27 | Nov 5 · Nov 22 · Dec 17 | 262 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Samantha
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 17 – Apr 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – May 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Mar 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35482 is matched to the NOAA station Bankhead L&D, AL, 18.5 km away, at 280 ft elevation (193 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bankhead L&D, AL (used) | 280 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 11 |
| Northport 2 S, AL | 150 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 10 |
| Tuscaloosa Muni Ap, AL | 150 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 12 |
| Tuscaloosa Acfd, AL | 169 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 15 |
Frost dates near Samantha
- Tuscaloosa, AL 35402 · last Mar 20, first Nov 11
- Peterson, AL 35478 · last Mar 20, first Nov 11
- Northport, AL 35473 · last Mar 12, first Nov 15
- Brookwood, AL 35444 · last Mar 20, first Nov 11
- Kellerman, AL 35468 · last Mar 20, first Nov 11
- Cottondale, AL 35453 · last Mar 12, first Nov 15
- Coaling, AL 35449 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
- Coker, AL 35452 · last Mar 12, first Nov 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Samantha, AL?
- For ZIP code 35482, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bankhead L&D, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Samantha, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 35482?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 235 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.