Frost dates for 36511Bon Secour, AL
The average last spring frost in Bon Secour is March 10 and the average first fall frost is November 17, giving a typical growing season of about 253 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 10
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 17
- Growing season
- 253 days
Safer after Mar 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 2 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 14 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 5 · Mar 28 · Apr 13 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 226 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 10 · Mar 30 | Nov 2 · Nov 17 · Dec 6 | 253 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 31 · Feb 26 · Mar 16 | Nov 11 · Dec 1 · Jan 1 | 279 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bon Secour
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 – Jul 28 |
| 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 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – May 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Jul 28 |
| 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 18 – Jul 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Apr 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 7 – Dec 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36511 is matched to the NOAA station Fairhope 2 Ne, AL, 29.2 km away, at 23 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairhope 2 Ne, AL (used) | 23 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 17 |
| Robertsdale, AL | 161 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 23 |
| Fairhope 3 Ne, AL | 95 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 19 |
| Dauphin Is #2, AL | 8 ft | Jan 31 | Jan 6 |
Frost dates near Bon Secour
- Gulf Shores, AL 36542 · last Jan 31, first Jan 6
- Magnolia Springs, AL 36555 · last Mar 10, first Nov 17
- Foley, AL 36535 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Orange Beach, AL 36561 · last Feb 28, first Nov 29
- Elberta, AL 36530 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Summerdale, AL 36580 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Fairhope, AL 36533 · last Mar 10, first Nov 17
- Silverhill, AL 36576 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bon Secour, AL?
- For ZIP code 36511, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Fairhope 2 Ne, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 30.
- When is the first frost in Bon Secour, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36511?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 253 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.