Frost dates for 36075Shorter, AL
The average last spring frost in Shorter is March 25 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 228 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 25
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 228 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 19 · Apr 6 · Apr 23 | Oct 18 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 206 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 25 · Apr 13 | Oct 26 · Nov 8 · Nov 27 | 228 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 16 · Mar 10 · Mar 31 | Nov 3 · Nov 21 · Dec 14 | 255 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shorter
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 19 |
| 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 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 19 |
| 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 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – May 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Mar 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36075 is matched to the NOAA station Milstead, AL, 7 km away, at 215 ft elevation (110 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milstead, AL (used) | 215 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 8 |
| Montgomery 6Sw, AL | 225 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 18 |
| Union Springs 9 S, AL | 440 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 6 |
| Montgomery Ap, AL | 202 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Shorter
- Hardaway, AL 36039 · last Mar 25, first Nov 8
- Cecil, AL 36013 · last Mar 25, first Nov 8
- Tuskegee Institute, AL 36087 · last Mar 25, first Nov 8
- Pike Road, AL 36064 · last Mar 4, first Nov 18
- Tallassee, AL 36078 · last Mar 25, first Nov 8
- Fitzpatrick, AL 36029 · last Mar 25, first Nov 8
- Fort Davis, AL 36031 · last Mar 25, first Nov 8
- Tuskegee, AL 36083 · last Mar 25, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shorter, AL?
- For ZIP code 36075, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Milstead, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Shorter, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36075?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 228 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.