Frost dates for 36521Chunchula, AL
The average last spring frost in Chunchula 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 Chunchula
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 36521 is matched to the NOAA station Bay Minette, AL, 35.1 km away, at 271 ft elevation (28 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 |
| Mobile, AL | 208 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 25 |
| Mobile Dwtn Ap, AL | 26 ft | Feb 21 | Dec 6 |
| Chatom, AL | 285 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Chunchula
- Bucks, AL 36512 · last Feb 28, first Nov 25
- Axis, AL 36505 · last Feb 28, first Nov 25
- Citronelle, AL 36522 · last Mar 3, first Nov 25
- Creola, AL 36525 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Mount Vernon, AL 36560 · last Feb 28, first Nov 25
- Satsuma, AL 36572 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Saraland, AL 36571 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Calvert, AL 36513 · last Feb 28, first Nov 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chunchula, AL?
- For ZIP code 36521, 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 Chunchula, 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 36521?
- 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.