Frost dates for 36436Dickinson, AL
The average last spring frost in Dickinson is March 10 and the average first fall frost is November 21, giving a typical growing season of about 257 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 10
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 21
- Growing season
- 257 days
Safer after Mar 29 (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 2 · Mar 24 · Apr 10 | Oct 27 · Nov 8 · Nov 25 | 232 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 10 · Mar 29 | Nov 5 · Nov 21 · Dec 10 | 257 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 31 · Feb 25 · Mar 17 | Nov 14 · Dec 4 · Jan 5 | 286 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dickinson
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 7 – Apr 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 26 – Aug 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Mar 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – May 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Aug 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Apr 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Apr 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 27 – Jan 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Apr 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 11 – Dec 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36436 is matched to the NOAA station Thomasville, AL, 17.2 km away, at 390 ft elevation (170 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomasville, AL (used) | 390 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 21 |
| Whatley, AL | 170 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 8 |
| Thomasville 2 S, AL | 350 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 9 |
| Jackson, AL | 220 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Dickinson
- Fulton, AL 36446 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
- Grove Hill, AL 36451 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
- Whatley, AL 36482 · last Mar 22, first Nov 8
- Lower Peach Tree, AL 36751 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
- Thomasville, AL 36784 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
- Franklin, AL 36444 · last Mar 22, first Nov 8
- Pine Hill, AL 36769 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
- Jackson, AL 36545 · last Mar 18, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dickinson, AL?
- For ZIP code 36436, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Thomasville, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 29.
- When is the first frost in Dickinson, 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 36436?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 257 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.