Frost dates for 35989Valley Head, AL
The average last spring frost in Valley Head is April 7 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 204 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 204 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 155 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 3 · Apr 21 · May 6 | Oct 10 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 183 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 7 · Apr 25 | Oct 18 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 204 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 27 · Apr 14 | Oct 25 · Nov 8 · Nov 28 | 227 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Valley Head
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 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35989 is matched to the NOAA station Valley Head 1 Ssw, AL, 1 km away, at 1,020 ft elevation (55 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Head 1 Ssw, AL (used) | 1,020 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 30 |
| Valley Head, AL | 1,121 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 29 |
| Ft Payne, AL | 917 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 8 |
| Summerville, GA | 639 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Valley Head
- Mentone, AL 35984 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Henagar, AL 35978 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Menlo, GA 30731 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Sylvania, AL 35988 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Fort Payne, AL 35968 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Ider, AL 35981 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Rainsville, AL 35986 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Pisgah, AL 35765 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Valley Head, AL?
- For ZIP code 35989, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Valley Head 1 Ssw, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Valley Head, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 35989?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 204 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.