Frost dates for 36016Clayton, AL
The average last spring frost in Clayton is March 11 and the average first fall frost is November 19, giving a typical growing season of about 254 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 11
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 19
- Growing season
- 254 days
Safer after Mar 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 16 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 5 · Mar 27 · Apr 14 | Oct 24 · Nov 8 · Nov 28 | 226 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 11 · Mar 30 | Nov 1 · Nov 19 · Dec 11 | 254 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 31 · Feb 28 · Mar 20 | Nov 11 · Dec 3 · Jan 6 | 284 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Clayton
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 8 – Apr 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Jul 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – May 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Jul 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 9 – Dec 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36016 is matched to the NOAA station Clayton, AL, 1.8 km away, at 569 ft elevation (18 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton, AL (used) | 569 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 19 |
| Weedon Fld Ap, AL | 285 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 17 |
| Union Springs 9 S, AL | 440 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 6 |
| Eufaula Wildlife Ref, AL | 300 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Clayton
- Louisville, AL 36048 · last Mar 11, first Nov 19
- Midway, AL 36053 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Clio, AL 36017 · last Mar 11, first Nov 19
- Eufaula, AL 36027 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Clopton, AL 36317 · last Mar 11, first Nov 19
- Georgetown, GA 39854 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Perote, AL 36061 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Banks, AL 36005 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Clayton, AL?
- For ZIP code 36016, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clayton, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 30.
- When is the first frost in Clayton, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 19. 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 36016?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 254 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.