Frost dates for 36831Auburn, AL
The average last spring frost in Auburn is March 13 and the average first fall frost is November 17, giving a typical growing season of about 246 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 13
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 17
- Growing season
- 246 days
Safer after Apr 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 14 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 8 · Mar 29 · Apr 16 | Oct 26 · Nov 7 · Nov 21 | 223 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 21 · Mar 13 · Apr 3 | Nov 1 · Nov 17 · Dec 4 | 246 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 1 · Feb 28 · Mar 19 | Nov 11 · Dec 1 · Dec 29 | 277 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Auburn
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 – Jul 28 |
| 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 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – May 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Jul 28 |
| 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 18 – Jul 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 7 – Dec 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36831 is matched to the NOAA station Auburn No.2, AL, 1.9 km away, at 545 ft elevation (157 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn No.2, AL (used) | 545 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 17 |
| Opelika, AL | 640 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 5 |
| Camp Hill 2Nw, AL | 680 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 27 |
| Lafayette 2W, AL | 740 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Auburn
- Auburn University, AL 36849 · last Mar 13, first Nov 17
- Auburn, AL 36832 · last Mar 13, first Nov 17
- Opelika, AL 36801 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Loachapoka, AL 36865 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Valley, AL 36872 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Waverly, AL 36879 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Notasulga, AL 36866 · last Mar 13, first Nov 17
- Camp Hill, AL 36850 · last Apr 11, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Auburn, AL?
- For ZIP code 36831, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Auburn No.2, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 3.
- When is the first frost in Auburn, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36831?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 246 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.