Frost dates for 36556Malcolm, AL
The average last spring frost in Malcolm is March 18 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 239 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 18
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 239 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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 11 · Apr 1 · Apr 20 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 17 | 214 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 18 · Apr 6 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Dec 3 | 239 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 1 · Mar 21 | Nov 6 · Nov 25 · Dec 27 | 269 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Malcolm
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 15 – Apr 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Jan 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – May 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36556 is matched to the NOAA station Jackson, AL, 37.9 km away, at 220 ft elevation (171 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, AL (used) | 220 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 12 |
| Chatom, AL | 285 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 8 |
| Bay Minette, AL | 271 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 25 |
| Atmore, AL | 300 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near Malcolm
- Calvert, AL 36513 · last Feb 28, first Nov 25
- Mc Intosh, AL 36553 · last Mar 18, first Nov 12
- Mount Vernon, AL 36560 · last Feb 28, first Nov 25
- Sunflower, AL 36581 · last Mar 18, first Nov 12
- Bucks, AL 36512 · last Feb 28, first Nov 25
- Stockton, AL 36579 · last Feb 28, first Nov 25
- Little River, AL 36550 · last Feb 28, first Nov 27
- Wagarville, AL 36585 · last Mar 18, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Malcolm, AL?
- For ZIP code 36556, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Jackson, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Malcolm, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36556?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 239 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.