Frost dates for 35768Scottsboro, AL
The average last spring frost in Scottsboro is April 4 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 209 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 209 days
Safer after Apr 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 152 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 2 · Apr 17 · Apr 30 | Oct 9 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 188 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 4 · Apr 20 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 209 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 22 · Apr 7 | Oct 26 · Nov 8 · Nov 29 | 232 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Scottsboro
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 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35768 is matched to the NOAA station Scottsboro, AL, 11.8 km away, at 615 ft elevation (67 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsboro, AL (used) | 615 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 30 |
| Scottsboro 2 Ne, AL | 636 ft | Apr 2 | Oct 30 |
| Owens Cross Roads 3S, AL | 590 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 30 |
| Bridgeport 5 Nw, AL | 664 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Scottsboro
- Trenton, AL 35774 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
- Woodville, AL 35776 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
- Hollytree, AL 35751 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
- Paint Rock, AL 35764 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
- Fackler, AL 35746 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
- Princeton, AL 35766 · last Apr 6, first Oct 29
- Scottsboro, AL 35769 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
- Hollywood, AL 35752 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Scottsboro, AL?
- For ZIP code 35768, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Scottsboro, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 20.
- When is the first frost in Scottsboro, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 35768?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 209 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.