Frost dates for 35613Athens, AL
The average last spring frost in Athens is March 20 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 238 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 20
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 238 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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 17 · Apr 4 · Apr 19 | Oct 22 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 214 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 20 · Apr 7 | Nov 1 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 238 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 13 · Mar 6 · Mar 26 | Nov 6 · Nov 24 · Dec 18 | 264 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Athens
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 23 |
| 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 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 23 |
| 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 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – May 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Mar 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35613 is matched to the NOAA station Athens, AL, 8.6 km away, at 689 ft elevation (49 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, AL (used) | 689 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 12 |
| Belle Mina 2 N, AL | 603 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 1 |
| Ardmore, TN | 885 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 4 |
| Decatur Pryor Fld, AL | 592 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Athens
- Athens, AL 35611 · last Mar 20, first Nov 12
- Capshaw, AL 35742 · last Mar 20, first Nov 12
- Harvest, AL 35749 · last Mar 20, first Nov 12
- Elkmont, AL 35620 · last Mar 20, first Nov 12
- Madison, AL 35757 · last Mar 24, first Nov 8
- Ardmore, AL 35739 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
- Tanner, AL 35671 · last Mar 27, first Nov 3
- Toney, AL 35773 · last Apr 7, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Athens, AL?
- For ZIP code 35613, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Athens, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Athens, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 35613?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 238 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.