Frost dates for 36535Foley, AL
The average last spring frost in Foley is March 5 and the average first fall frost is November 23, giving a typical growing season of about 264 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 23
- Growing season
- 264 days
Safer after Mar 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 5 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 20 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 28 · Mar 21 · Apr 8 | Oct 27 · Nov 12 · Nov 30 | 236 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 5 · Mar 26 | Nov 5 · Nov 23 · Dec 15 | 264 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 24 · Feb 21 · Mar 14 | Nov 17 · Dec 9 · Jan 10 | 295 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Foley
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 2 – Apr 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – May 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 13 – Dec 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36535 is matched to the NOAA station Robertsdale, AL, 18.4 km away, at 161 ft elevation (89 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robertsdale, AL (used) | 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 |
| Pensacola Forest Sherman Nas, FL | 28 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 29 |
Frost dates near Foley
- Foley, AL 36536 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Summerdale, AL 36580 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Magnolia Springs, AL 36555 · last Mar 10, first Nov 17
- Elberta, AL 36530 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Bon Secour, AL 36511 · last Mar 10, first Nov 17
- Silverhill, AL 36576 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Gulf Shores, AL 36542 · last Jan 31, first Jan 6
- Orange Beach, AL 36561 · last Feb 28, first Nov 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Foley, AL?
- For ZIP code 36535, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Robertsdale, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 26.
- When is the first frost in Foley, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 23. 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 36535?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 264 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.