Frost dates for 36373Shorterville, AL
The average last spring frost in Shorterville is March 13 and the average first fall frost is November 21, giving a typical growing season of about 256 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 13
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 21
- Growing season
- 256 days
Safer after Mar 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 4 (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 8 · Mar 25 · Apr 7 | Oct 26 · Nov 8 · Nov 28 | 230 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 21 · Mar 13 · Mar 28 | Nov 4 · Nov 21 · Dec 13 | 256 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 30 · Feb 28 · Mar 21 | Nov 17 · Dec 8 · Jan 6 | 287 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shorterville
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 10 – Apr 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – May 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 30 – Jan 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 11 – Dec 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36373 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Gaines 2, GA, 14.1 km away, at 210 ft elevation (174 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Gaines 2, GA (used) | 210 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 21 |
| Headland, AL | 370 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 24 |
| Dothan Rgnl Ap, AL | 370 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 24 |
| Cuthbert, GA | 461 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Shorterville
- Fort Gaines, GA 39851 · last Mar 13, first Nov 21
- Abbeville, AL 36310 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Columbia, AL 36319 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Newville, AL 36353 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Blakely, GA 39823 · last Mar 13, first Nov 21
- Bluffton, GA 39824 · last Mar 21, first Nov 13
- Headland, AL 36345 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Coleman, GA 39836 · last Mar 21, first Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shorterville, AL?
- For ZIP code 36373, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Gaines 2, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 28.
- When is the first frost in Shorterville, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36373?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 256 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.