Frost dates for 35904Gadsden, AL
The average last spring frost in Gadsden is March 19 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 240 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 240 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 21 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 215 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 19 · Apr 7 | Nov 1 · Nov 13 · Dec 1 | 240 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 11 · Mar 4 · Mar 24 | Nov 9 · Nov 27 · Dec 23 | 268 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gadsden
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 16 – Apr 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – May 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Mar 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35904 is matched to the NOAA station Gadsden, AL, 5.7 km away, at 565 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gadsden, AL (used) | 565 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 13 |
| Gadsden 19 N, AL | 1,152 ft | Apr 1 | Oct 31 |
| Sand Mt Substn, AL | 1,190 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 3 |
| Oneonta, AL | 1,100 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Gadsden
- Gadsden, AL 35902 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Attalla, AL 35954 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Rainbow City, AL 35906 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Altoona, AL 35952 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
- Boaz, AL 35956 · last Apr 1, first Oct 31
- Gallant, AL 35972 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Steele, AL 35987 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
- Walnut Grove, AL 35990 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gadsden, AL?
- For ZIP code 35904, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gadsden, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Gadsden, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. 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 35904?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 240 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.