Frost dates for 36507Bay Minette, AL
The average last spring frost in Bay Minette is February 28 and the average first fall frost is November 25, giving a typical growing season of about 272 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 25
- Growing season
- 272 days
Safer after Mar 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 7 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 22 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) | Feb 24 · Mar 15 · Apr 3 | Oct 31 · Nov 14 · Dec 1 | 247 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 3 · Feb 28 · Mar 21 | Nov 7 · Nov 25 · Dec 20 | 272 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 13 · Feb 12 · Mar 10 | Nov 19 · Dec 12 · Jan 14 | 305 days | 98% |
Planting calendar for Bay Minette
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 | Jan 28 – Apr 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 17 – Jan 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Apr 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 15 – Dec 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36507 is matched to the NOAA station Bay Minette, AL, 3 km away, at 271 ft elevation (15 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Minette, AL (used) | 271 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 25 |
| Robertsdale, AL | 161 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 23 |
| Fairhope 3 Ne, AL | 95 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 19 |
| Fairhope 2 Ne, AL | 23 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 17 |
Frost dates near Bay Minette
- Stapleton, AL 36578 · last Feb 28, first Nov 25
- Stockton, AL 36579 · last Feb 28, first Nov 25
- Perdido, AL 36562 · last Feb 28, first Nov 25
- Spanish Fort, AL 36527 · last Mar 10, first Nov 17
- Creola, AL 36525 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Axis, AL 36505 · last Feb 28, first Nov 25
- Loxley, AL 36551 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Satsuma, AL 36572 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bay Minette, AL?
- For ZIP code 36507, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bay Minette, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 21.
- When is the first frost in Bay Minette, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36507?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 272 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.