Frost dates for 36024Eclectic, AL
The average last spring frost in Eclectic is March 25 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 230 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 25
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 230 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 20 · Apr 7 · Apr 25 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 207 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 25 · Apr 13 | Oct 28 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 230 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 11 · Apr 1 | Nov 7 · Nov 24 · Dec 15 | 258 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Eclectic
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 22 – Apr 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – May 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Mar 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36024 is matched to the NOAA station Rockford 3 Ese, AL, 27.6 km away, at 600 ft elevation (69 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford 3 Ese, AL (used) | 600 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 11 |
| Milstead, AL | 215 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 8 |
| Alexander City, AL | 640 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 8 |
| Camp Hill 2Nw, AL | 680 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Eclectic
- Kent, AL 36045 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Wetumpka, AL 36093 · last Mar 25, first Nov 8
- Tallassee, AL 36078 · last Mar 25, first Nov 8
- Equality, AL 36026 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Titus, AL 36080 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- East Tallassee, AL 36023 · last Mar 26, first Nov 8
- Elmore, AL 36025 · last Mar 13, first Nov 13
- Jacksons Gap, AL 36861 · last Mar 26, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Eclectic, AL?
- For ZIP code 36024, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rockford 3 Ese, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Eclectic, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36024?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 230 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.