Frost dates for 36344Hartford, AL
The average last spring frost in Hartford is March 23 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 231 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 23
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 231 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (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 15 · Apr 4 · Apr 21 | Oct 18 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 209 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 23 · Apr 7 | Oct 26 · Nov 7 · Nov 27 | 231 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 11 · Mar 6 · Mar 28 | Nov 2 · Nov 20 · Dec 11 | 259 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hartford
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 20 – Apr 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – May 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Mar 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36344 is matched to the NOAA station Geneva #2, AL, 15.4 km away, at 145 ft elevation (114 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva #2, AL (used) | 145 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 7 |
| New Hope, FL | 105 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 20 |
| Bonifay Tri Co Ap, FL | 85 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 18 |
| Enterprise 4 W, AL | 337 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 21 |
Frost dates near Hartford
- Black, AL 36314 · last Mar 23, first Nov 7
- Bellwood, AL 36313 · last Mar 23, first Nov 7
- Slocomb, AL 36375 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Chancellor, AL 36316 · last Mar 9, first Nov 21
- Noma, FL 32452 · last Mar 5, first Nov 21
- Malvern, AL 36349 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Geneva, AL 36340 · last Mar 23, first Nov 7
- Coffee Springs, AL 36318 · last Mar 23, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hartford, AL?
- For ZIP code 36344, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Geneva #2, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Hartford, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. 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 36344?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 231 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.