Frost dates for 35617Cloverdale, AL
The average last spring frost in Cloverdale is March 20 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 233 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 20
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 233 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (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 17 · Apr 2 · Apr 16 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 211 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 20 · Apr 6 | Oct 25 · Nov 8 · Nov 26 | 233 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 6 · Mar 25 | Nov 4 · Nov 20 · Dec 9 | 260 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cloverdale
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 19 |
| 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 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 19 |
| 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 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – May 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Mar 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35617 is matched to the NOAA station Muscle Shoals Rgnl Ap, AL, 26.7 km away, at 540 ft elevation (54 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Shoals Rgnl Ap, AL (used) | 540 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 8 |
| Muscle Shoals 2 N, AL | 530 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 3 |
| Muscle Shoals Wtp, AL | 540 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 3 |
| Lexington, AL | 760 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Cloverdale
- Florence, AL 35633 · last Mar 20, first Nov 8
- Cypress Inn, TN 38452 · last Apr 14, first Oct 24
- Iron City, TN 38463 · last Apr 14, first Oct 24
- Waterloo, AL 35677 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Sheffield, AL 35660 · last Mar 20, first Nov 8
- Lutts, TN 38471 · last Apr 14, first Oct 24
- Muscle Shoals, AL 35662 · last Mar 20, first Nov 8
- Killen, AL 35645 · last Mar 20, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cloverdale, AL?
- For ZIP code 35617, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Muscle Shoals Rgnl Ap, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Cloverdale, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 35617?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 233 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.