Frost dates for 35643Hillsboro, AL
The average last spring frost in Hillsboro is March 28 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 221 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 221 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 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 25 · Apr 9 · Apr 23 | Oct 15 · Oct 25 · Nov 5 | 199 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 28 · Apr 13 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 221 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 13 · Apr 2 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Dec 3 | 247 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hillsboro
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 25 – May 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – May 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35643 is matched to the NOAA station Courtland 2 Wsw, AL, 15.2 km away, at 575 ft elevation (19 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courtland 2 Wsw, AL (used) | 575 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 3 |
| Moulton 2, AL | 622 ft | Apr 2 | Oct 31 |
| Decatur Pryor Fld, AL | 592 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 3 |
| Decatur 4Se, AL | 550 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near Hillsboro
- Trinity, AL 35673 · last Mar 27, first Nov 3
- Courtland, AL 35618 · last Mar 28, first Nov 3
- Moulton, AL 35650 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Decatur, AL 35602 · last Mar 26, first Nov 7
- Athens, AL 35612 · last Mar 20, first Nov 12
- Tanner, AL 35671 · last Mar 27, first Nov 3
- Town Creek, AL 35672 · last Mar 28, first Nov 3
- Rogersville, AL 35652 · last Mar 28, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hillsboro, AL?
- For ZIP code 35643, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Courtland 2 Wsw, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Hillsboro, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 35643?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 221 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.