Frost dates for 36701Selma, AL
The average last spring frost in Selma is March 8 and the average first fall frost is November 18, giving a typical growing season of about 254 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 8
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 18
- Growing season
- 254 days
Safer after Mar 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 2 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 15 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 2 · Mar 25 · Apr 13 | Oct 26 · Nov 7 · Nov 23 | 227 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 8 · Mar 28 | Nov 2 · Nov 18 · Dec 8 | 254 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 28 · Feb 24 · Mar 16 | Nov 12 · Dec 1 · Jan 1 | 284 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Selma
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 5 – Apr 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Jul 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – May 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Jul 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Apr 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 25 – Jan 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 8 – Dec 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36701 is matched to the NOAA station Selma, AL, 1.3 km away, at 147 ft elevation (19 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selma, AL (used) | 147 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 18 |
| Selma 6 Sse, AL | 157 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 7 |
| Marion Junction 2 Ne, AL | 200 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 9 |
| Selma 13 Wnw, AL | 193 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Selma
- Selma, AL 36703 · last Mar 8, first Nov 18
- Sardis, AL 36775 · last Mar 8, first Nov 18
- Tyler, AL 36785 · last Mar 8, first Nov 18
- Jones, AL 36749 · last Mar 8, first Nov 18
- Marion Junction, AL 36759 · last Mar 21, first Nov 5
- Orrville, AL 36767 · last Mar 21, first Nov 5
- Plantersville, AL 36758 · last Mar 8, first Nov 18
- Minter, AL 36761 · last Mar 8, first Nov 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Selma, AL?
- For ZIP code 36701, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Selma, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 28.
- When is the first frost in Selma, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36701?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 254 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.