Frost dates for 36362Fort Rucker, AL
The average last spring frost in Fort Rucker is March 9 and the average first fall frost is November 21, giving a typical growing season of about 260 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 9
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 21
- Growing season
- 260 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 5 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 18 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 1 · Mar 24 · Apr 12 | Oct 29 · Nov 10 · Nov 28 | 232 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 9 · Mar 31 | Nov 5 · Nov 21 · Dec 14 | 260 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 22 · Feb 22 · Mar 16 | Nov 14 · Dec 6 · Jan 6 | 289 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Rucker
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 6 – Apr 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Aug 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – May 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Aug 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 26 – Jan 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 11 – Dec 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36362 is matched to the NOAA station Enterprise 4 W, AL, 17.8 km away, at 337 ft elevation (19 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise 4 W, AL (used) | 337 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 21 |
| Dothan Rgnl Ap, AL | 370 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 24 |
| Headland, AL | 370 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 24 |
| Geneva #2, AL | 145 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near Fort Rucker
- Daleville, AL 36322 · last Mar 9, first Nov 21
- Enterprise, AL 36330 · last Mar 9, first Nov 21
- Newton, AL 36352 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Ozark, AL 36360 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Pinckard, AL 36371 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Bellwood, AL 36313 · last Mar 23, first Nov 7
- New Brockton, AL 36351 · last Mar 9, first Nov 21
- Chancellor, AL 36316 · last Mar 9, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Rucker, AL?
- For ZIP code 36362, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Enterprise 4 W, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in Fort Rucker, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36362?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 260 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.