Frost dates for 36482Whatley, AL
The average last spring frost in Whatley is March 22 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 231 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 22
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 231 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 17 · Apr 4 · Apr 22 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 14 | 209 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 22 · Apr 9 | Oct 24 · Nov 8 · Nov 28 | 231 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 8 · Mar 27 | Nov 2 · Nov 21 · Dec 11 | 256 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Whatley
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 19 – Apr 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – May 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36482 is matched to the NOAA station Whatley, AL, 5.2 km away, at 170 ft elevation (168 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whatley, AL (used) | 170 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 8 |
| Thomasville 2 S, AL | 350 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 9 |
| Jackson, AL | 220 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 12 |
| Thomasville, AL | 390 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 21 |
Frost dates near Whatley
- Grove Hill, AL 36451 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
- Dickinson, AL 36436 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
- Fulton, AL 36446 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
- Perdue Hill, AL 36470 · last Feb 28, first Nov 27
- Franklin, AL 36444 · last Mar 22, first Nov 8
- Gainestown, AL 36540 · last Mar 18, first Nov 12
- Jackson, AL 36545 · last Mar 18, first Nov 12
- Lower Peach Tree, AL 36751 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Whatley, AL?
- For ZIP code 36482, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Whatley, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Whatley, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36482?
- 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.