Frost dates for 36590Theodore, AL
The average last spring frost in Theodore is March 13 and the average first fall frost is November 24, giving a typical growing season of about 255 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 13
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 24
- Growing season
- 255 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 4 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 21 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 4 · Mar 26 · Apr 12 | Oct 28 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 232 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 13 · Apr 2 | Nov 4 · Nov 24 · Dec 22 | 255 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 24 · Feb 27 · Mar 19 | Nov 15 · Dec 8 · Jan 14 | 290 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Theodore
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 10 – Apr 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – May 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 30 – Jan 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 14 – Dec 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36590 is matched to the NOAA station Coden, AL, 11.5 km away, at 12 ft elevation (96 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coden, AL (used) | 12 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 24 |
| Mobile, AL | 208 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 25 |
| Mobile Dwtn Ap, AL | 26 ft | Feb 21 | Dec 6 |
| Pascagoula 3 Ne, MS | 12 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 19 |
Frost dates near Theodore
- Irvington, AL 36544 · last Mar 13, first Nov 24
- Saint Elmo, AL 36568 · last Mar 13, first Nov 24
- Grand Bay, AL 36541 · last Mar 13, first Nov 24
- Bayou La Batre, AL 36509 · last Mar 13, first Nov 24
- Theodore, AL 36582 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Coden, AL 36523 · last Mar 13, first Nov 24
- Mobile, AL 36619 · last Mar 3, first Nov 25
- Moss Point, MS 39562 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Theodore, AL?
- For ZIP code 36590, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Coden, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 2.
- When is the first frost in Theodore, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36590?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 255 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.