Frost dates for 36728Catherine, AL
The average last spring frost in Catherine is March 21 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 229 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 21
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 229 days
Safer after Apr 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 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 15 · Apr 5 · Apr 23 | Oct 16 · Oct 28 · Nov 9 | 205 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 21 · Apr 12 | Oct 24 · Nov 5 · Nov 21 | 229 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 8 · Mar 3 · Mar 25 | Nov 1 · Nov 15 · Dec 4 | 256 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Catherine
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 18 – Apr 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – May 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36728 is matched to the NOAA station Selma 13 Wnw, AL, 38 km away, at 193 ft elevation (29 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selma 13 Wnw, AL (used) | 193 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 5 |
| Camden 3 Nw, AL | 235 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 11 |
| Thomasville, AL | 390 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 21 |
| Marion Junction 2 Ne, AL | 200 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Catherine
- Alberta, AL 36720 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Thomaston, AL 36783 · last Mar 21, first Nov 5
- Arlington, AL 36722 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
- Safford, AL 36773 · last Mar 21, first Nov 5
- Magnolia, AL 36754 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
- Boykin, AL 36723 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Pine Hill, AL 36769 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
- Mc Williams, AL 36753 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Catherine, AL?
- For ZIP code 36728, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Selma 13 Wnw, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 12.
- When is the first frost in Catherine, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36728?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 229 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.