Frost dates for 36052Mathews, AL
The average last spring frost in Mathews is March 4 and the average first fall frost is November 18, giving a typical growing season of about 262 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 18
- Growing season
- 262 days
Safer after Mar 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 15 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) | Feb 25 · Mar 17 · Apr 7 | Oct 22 · Nov 6 · Nov 27 | 233 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 9 · Mar 4 · Mar 23 | Nov 1 · Nov 18 · Dec 10 | 262 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 24 · Feb 17 · Mar 14 | Nov 10 · Dec 4 · Jan 4 | 292 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Mathews
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 1 – Apr 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Jul 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Mar 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – May 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Jul 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 21 – Jan 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Feb 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Apr 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 8 – Dec 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36052 is matched to the NOAA station Montgomery 6Sw, AL, 22.2 km away, at 225 ft elevation (129 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery 6Sw, AL (used) | 225 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 18 |
| Troy Muni Ap, AL | 397 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 10 |
| Union Springs 9 S, AL | 440 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 6 |
| Highland Home #2, AL | 555 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 18 |
Frost dates near Mathews
- Pine Level, AL 36065 · last Mar 18, first Nov 10
- Grady, AL 36036 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Fitzpatrick, AL 36029 · last Mar 25, first Nov 8
- Cecil, AL 36013 · last Mar 25, first Nov 8
- Mount Meigs, AL 36057 · last Mar 4, first Nov 18
- Montgomery, AL 36102 · last Mar 4, first Nov 18
- Ramer, AL 36069 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Pike Road, AL 36064 · last Mar 4, first Nov 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mathews, AL?
- For ZIP code 36052, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Montgomery 6Sw, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 23.
- When is the first frost in Mathews, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 18. 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 36052?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 262 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.