Frost dates for 35552Detroit, AL
The average last spring frost in Detroit is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 198 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 198 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 159 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) | Apr 7 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Oct 7 · Oct 19 · Oct 31 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 11 · Apr 27 | Oct 15 · Oct 27 · Nov 10 | 198 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 31 · Apr 16 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 25 | 222 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Detroit
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 | Mar 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35552 is matched to the NOAA station Hamilton 3 S, AL, 18.1 km away, at 435 ft elevation (74 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton 3 S, AL (used) | 435 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 27 |
| Vernon, AL | 298 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 5 |
| Winfield 2 Sw, AL | 520 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 1 |
| Fulton 3 W, MS | 350 ft | Apr 1 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Detroit
- Beaverton, AL 35544 · last Apr 11, first Oct 27
- Gattman, MS 38844 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Sulligent, AL 35586 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Greenwood Springs, MS 38848 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Hamilton, AL 35570 · last Apr 11, first Oct 27
- Smithville, MS 38870 · last Apr 1, first Oct 31
- Tremont, MS 38876 · last Apr 1, first Oct 31
- Guin, AL 35563 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Detroit, AL?
- For ZIP code 35552, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hamilton 3 S, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in Detroit, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 35552?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 198 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.