Frost dates for 36856Fort Mitchell, AL
The average last spring frost in Fort Mitchell is March 26 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 228 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 228 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 22 · Apr 7 · Apr 23 | Oct 18 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 205 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 26 · Apr 13 | Oct 27 · Nov 8 · Nov 23 | 228 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 11 · Mar 31 | Nov 6 · Nov 20 · Dec 12 | 256 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Mitchell
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 23 – May 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – May 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36856 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Benning Lawson Fld, GA, 6 km away, at 289 ft elevation (92 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Benning Lawson Fld, GA (used) | 289 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 8 |
| Columbus Metro Ap, GA | 392 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 23 |
| Columbus #2, GA | 435 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 11 |
| Eufaula Wildlife Ref, AL | 300 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Fort Mitchell
- Holy Trinity, AL 36859 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Fort Benning, GA 31905 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Columbus, GA 31903 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Phenix City, AL 36869 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Seale, AL 36875 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Cottonton, AL 36851 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Pittsview, AL 36871 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Omaha, GA 31821 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Mitchell, AL?
- For ZIP code 36856, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Benning Lawson Fld, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Fort Mitchell, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36856?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 228 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.