Frost dates for 36877Smiths Station, AL
The average last spring frost in Smiths Station is March 21 and the average first fall frost is November 18, giving a typical growing season of about 243 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 21
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 18
- Growing season
- 243 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (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 15 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 23 · Nov 5 · Nov 21 | 216 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 21 · Apr 13 | Nov 1 · Nov 18 · Dec 5 | 243 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 3 · Mar 3 · Apr 2 | Nov 8 · Dec 1 · Dec 25 | 272 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Smiths Station
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 29 |
| 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 – Aug 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 29 |
| 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 19 – Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – May 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 8 – Dec 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36877 is matched to the NOAA station Mulberry Grove, GA, 7.9 km away, at 501 ft elevation (27 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mulberry Grove, GA (used) | 501 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 18 |
| Columbus Metro Ap, GA | 392 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 23 |
| Columbus #2, GA | 435 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 11 |
| Ft Benning Lawson Fld, GA | 289 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Smiths Station
- Phenix City, AL 36870 · last Mar 21, first Nov 18
- Columbus, GA 31904 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Salem, AL 36874 · last Mar 21, first Nov 18
- Fortson, GA 31808 · last Mar 21, first Nov 18
- Fort Benning, GA 31995 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Cataula, GA 31804 · last Mar 21, first Nov 18
- Opelika, AL 36804 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Midland, GA 31820 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Smiths Station, AL?
- For ZIP code 36877, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mulberry Grove, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Smiths Station, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 18. 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 36877?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 243 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.