Frost dates for 36606Mobile, AL
The average last spring frost in Mobile is February 21 and the average first fall frost is December 6, giving a typical growing season of about 292 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 21
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 6
- Growing season
- 292 days
Safer after Mar 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 15 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 33 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 12 · Mar 6 · Mar 25 | Nov 5 · Nov 22 · Dec 13 | 264 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 25 · Feb 21 · Mar 15 | Nov 15 · Dec 6 · Jan 5 | 292 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 2 · Feb 2 · Mar 6 | Nov 30 · Dec 30 · Jan 30 | 326 days | 89% |
Planting calendar for Mobile
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 21 – Mar 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 9 – Aug 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 21 – Feb 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Aug 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Sep 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Aug 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 10 – Jan 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Feb 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 5 – Sep 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 24 – Jan 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Apr 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Oct 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 12 – Oct 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Oct 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Feb 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 26 – Dec 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36606 is matched to the NOAA station Mobile Dwtn Ap, AL, 6 km away, at 26 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Dwtn Ap, AL (used) | 26 ft | Feb 21 | Dec 6 |
| Mobile, AL | 208 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 25 |
| Fairhope 2 Ne, AL | 23 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 17 |
| Fairhope 3 Ne, AL | 95 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 19 |
Frost dates near Mobile
- Mobile, AL 36616 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Eight Mile, AL 36613 · last Mar 3, first Nov 25
- Theodore, AL 36582 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Spanish Fort, AL 36577 · last Mar 10, first Nov 17
- Saraland, AL 36571 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Semmes, AL 36575 · last Mar 3, first Nov 25
- Satsuma, AL 36572 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Daphne, AL 36526 · last Mar 10, first Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mobile, AL?
- For ZIP code 36606, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mobile Dwtn Ap, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 15.
- When is the first frost in Mobile, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36606?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 292 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.