Frost dates for 36272Piedmont, AL
The average last spring frost in Piedmont is April 6 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 206 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 206 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 154 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) | Apr 4 · Apr 20 · May 4 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 184 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 6 · Apr 22 | Oct 19 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 206 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 25 · Apr 10 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 28 | 230 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Piedmont
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 | Mar 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36272 is matched to the NOAA station Heflin, AL, 22 km away, at 1,000 ft elevation (138 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heflin, AL (used) | 1,000 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 31 |
| Anniston Metro Ap, AL | 594 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 9 |
| Centre, AL | 600 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 31 |
| Gadsden, AL | 565 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Piedmont
- Jacksonville, AL 36265 · last Mar 23, first Nov 9
- Spring Garden, AL 36275 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
- Weaver, AL 36277 · last Mar 23, first Nov 9
- Anniston, AL 36205 · last Mar 23, first Nov 9
- Edwardsville, AL 36261 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Bynum, AL 36253 · last Mar 23, first Nov 9
- De Armanville, AL 36257 · last Mar 23, first Nov 9
- Fruithurst, AL 36262 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Piedmont, AL?
- For ZIP code 36272, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Heflin, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Piedmont, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36272?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 206 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.