Frost dates for 36915Needham, AL
The average last spring frost in Needham is March 14 and the average first fall frost is November 16, giving a typical growing season of about 247 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 14
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 16
- Growing season
- 247 days
Safer after Apr 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 13 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 15 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 21 | 221 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 21 · Mar 14 · Apr 1 | Oct 31 · Nov 16 · Dec 3 | 247 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 3 · Feb 28 · Mar 20 | Nov 10 · Nov 29 · Dec 26 | 274 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Needham
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 11 – Apr 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Jul 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Mar 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – May 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Jul 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Apr 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 6 – Dec 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36915 is matched to the NOAA station P Harrison Archusa, MS, 35.6 km away, at 216 ft elevation (45 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| P Harrison Archusa, MS (used) | 216 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 16 |
| Quitman 2 Nne, MS | 213 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 10 |
| Waynesboro 2 W, MS | 200 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 9 |
| Meridian Key Fld, MS | 294 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Needham
- Melvin, AL 36913 · last Mar 14, first Nov 16
- Gilbertown, AL 36908 · last Mar 17, first Nov 9
- Butler, AL 36904 · last Mar 14, first Nov 16
- Toxey, AL 36921 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
- Silas, AL 36919 · last Mar 17, first Nov 9
- Lisman, AL 36912 · last Mar 18, first Nov 10
- Jachin, AL 36910 · last Mar 20, first Nov 9
- Campbell, AL 36727 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Needham, AL?
- For ZIP code 36915, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the P Harrison Archusa, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 1.
- When is the first frost in Needham, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36915?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 247 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.