Frost dates for 35646Leighton, AL
The average last spring frost in Leighton 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 Leighton
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 35646 is matched to the NOAA station Muscle Shoals Rgnl Ap, AL, 8 km away, at 540 ft elevation (47 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 Wtp, AL | 540 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 3 |
| Muscle Shoals 2 N, AL | 530 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 3 |
| Courtland 2 Wsw, AL | 575 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Leighton
- Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 · last Mar 20, first Nov 8
- Town Creek, AL 35672 · last Mar 28, first Nov 3
- Tuscumbia, AL 35674 · last Mar 20, first Nov 8
- Sheffield, AL 35660 · last Mar 20, first Nov 8
- Florence, AL 35630 · last Mar 20, first Nov 8
- Courtland, AL 35618 · last Mar 28, first Nov 3
- Killen, AL 35645 · last Mar 20, first Nov 8
- Rogersville, AL 35652 · last Mar 28, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Leighton, AL?
- For ZIP code 35646, 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 Leighton, 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 35646?
- 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.