Frost dates for 36071Rutledge, AL
The average last spring frost in Rutledge is March 28 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 224 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 224 days
Safer after Apr 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 23 · Apr 8 · Apr 25 | Oct 18 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 202 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 28 · Apr 15 | Oct 25 · Nov 7 · Nov 25 | 224 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 19 · Mar 13 · Apr 1 | Nov 2 · Nov 19 · Dec 7 | 252 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rutledge
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 25 – May 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – May 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36071 is matched to the NOAA station Greenville, AL, 24.3 km away, at 342 ft elevation (7 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, AL (used) | 342 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 7 |
| Highland Home, AL | 433 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 5 |
| Highland Home 2 S, AL | 614 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 26 |
| Greenville Crenshaw Ap, AL | 451 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near Rutledge
- Luverne, AL 36049 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Brantley, AL 36009 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Honoraville, AL 36042 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Glenwood, AL 36034 · last Mar 18, first Nov 10
- Petrey, AL 36062 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Dozier, AL 36028 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Goshen, AL 36035 · last Mar 18, first Nov 10
- Highland Home, AL 36041 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rutledge, AL?
- For ZIP code 36071, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Greenville, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 15.
- When is the first frost in Rutledge, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36071?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 224 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.