Last frost date in Athens, AL
The average last frost in Athens is March 20. By April 7 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 12, which leaves 238 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 1 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- Apr 7
- Average first frost
- Nov 12
- Frost-free season
- 238 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Mar 6
No frost in the next 7 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2244°
- FriOct 2345°
- SatOct 2444°
- SunOct 2543°
- MonOct 2643°
- TueOct 2746°
- WedOct 2845°
Planting calendar for Athens
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Alabama.
TomatoesMar 27–Apr 10
PumpkinsApr 3–Apr 17
SunflowersMar 20–Apr 10
CucumbersApr 3–Apr 10
CornMar 27–Apr 10
Sweet potatoesApr 10–Apr 24
WatermelonApr 3–Apr 17
Green beansMar 27–Apr 17
ZucchiniMar 27–Apr 10
OkraApr 10–Apr 24
PeppersApr 3–Apr 17
BasilMar 27–Apr 10
Butternut squashMar 27–Apr 10
CantaloupeApr 3–Apr 17
EggplantApr 3–Apr 17
PotatoesFeb 20–Mar 6
OnionsFeb 6–Feb 27
CarrotsFeb 27–Apr 3
LettuceMar 6–Mar 27
BroccoliFeb 20–Mar 6
BeetsFeb 20–Apr 3
PeasFeb 6–Feb 20
CabbageFeb 20–Mar 6
RadishesFeb 13–Mar 27
Brussels sproutsMar 6–Mar 20
SpinachFeb 6–Feb 27
CilantroMar 6–Mar 27
KaleFeb 20–Mar 6
Collard greensFeb 20–Mar 6
TurnipsFeb 20–Mar 6
DillMar 20–Apr 3
CeleryMar 27–Apr 3
CauliflowerMar 6–Mar 20
LeeksMar 6–Mar 20
Swiss chardMar 6–Apr 3
ParsleyMar 6–Mar 27
Tulip bulbsOct 29–Dec 3
GarlicOct 22–Nov 26
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 26
StrawberriesFeb 20–Mar 6
AsparagusFeb 20–Mar 6Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Mar 1 | Mar 20 | Apr 7 | Nov 1 | Nov 12 | Dec 1 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Feb 13 | Mar 6 | Mar 26 | Nov 6 | Nov 24 | Dec 18 |
Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.
Where these numbers come from
NOAA station Athens (USC00010390) sits 0.3 miles from the center of Athens at 689 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.
Questions
When is the last frost in Athens, AL?
The average last frost date in Athens is March 20, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 7.
When is the first frost in Athens?
The first frost in fall usually comes around November 12. One year in ten it arrives before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Athens?
About 238 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Athens?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 27 to April 10. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Alabama
- MadisonMar 24
- DecaturMar 26
- HuntsvilleMar 24
- FlorenceMar 27
- CullmanMar 31
- AlbertvilleMar 17
- GadsdenMar 19
- TrussvilleApr 4
- BirminghamMar 21
- Mountain BrookMar 21
- HomewoodMar 21
- Vestavia HillsMar 21