Frost dates for 36862Lafayette, AL
The average last spring frost in Lafayette is April 9 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 204 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 204 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 157 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) | Apr 5 · Apr 21 · May 5 | Oct 10 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 183 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 9 · Apr 25 | Oct 18 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 204 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 26 · Apr 13 | Oct 25 · Nov 8 · Nov 25 | 227 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lafayette
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 | Mar 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36862 is matched to the NOAA station Lafayette 2W, AL, 2.2 km away, at 740 ft elevation (58 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette 2W, AL (used) | 740 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 30 |
| Camp Hill 2Nw, AL | 680 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 27 |
| W Pt, GA | 575 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 9 |
| Rock Mills, AL | 750 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Lafayette
- Five Points, AL 36855 · last Apr 2, first Nov 3
- Waverly, AL 36879 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Cusseta, AL 36852 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Lanett, AL 36863 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Camp Hill, AL 36850 · last Apr 11, first Oct 27
- Roanoke, AL 36274 · last Apr 2, first Nov 3
- Wadley, AL 36276 · last Apr 2, first Nov 3
- Valley, AL 36854 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lafayette, AL?
- For ZIP code 36862, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lafayette 2W, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Lafayette, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36862?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 204 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.