Last frost date in Decatur, AL

Average last frost
March 26

Expect the last frost in Decatur around March 26. Frost after April 9 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 7, which leaves 228 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 26 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 9
Average first frost
Nov 7
Frost-free season
228 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 12
Next 7 nights in Decatur

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2246°
  2. FriOct 2347°
  3. SatOct 2446°
  4. SunOct 2545°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2748°
  7. WedOct 2846°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 26First frost Nov 7228 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND228 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Decatur 4SE, 3.2 miles from Decatur.

Planting calendar for Decatur

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Alabama.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 2–Apr 16
PumpkinsApr 9–Apr 23
SunflowersMar 26–Apr 16
CucumbersApr 9–Apr 16
CornApr 2–Apr 16
Sweet potatoesApr 16–Apr 30
WatermelonApr 9–Apr 23
Green beansApr 2–Apr 23
ZucchiniApr 2–Apr 16
OkraApr 16–Apr 30
PeppersApr 9–Apr 23
BasilApr 2–Apr 16
Butternut squashApr 2–Apr 16
CantaloupeApr 9–Apr 23
EggplantApr 9–Apr 23
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 26–Mar 12
OnionsFeb 12–Mar 5
CarrotsMar 5–Apr 9
LettuceMar 12–Apr 2
BroccoliFeb 26–Mar 12
BeetsFeb 26–Apr 9
PeasFeb 12–Feb 26
CabbageFeb 26–Mar 12
RadishesFeb 19–Apr 2
Brussels sproutsMar 12–Mar 26
SpinachFeb 12–Mar 5
CilantroMar 12–Apr 2
KaleFeb 26–Mar 12
Collard greensFeb 26–Mar 12
TurnipsFeb 26–Mar 12
DillMar 26–Apr 9
CeleryApr 2–Apr 9
CauliflowerMar 12–Mar 26
LeeksMar 12–Mar 26
Swiss chardMar 12–Apr 9
ParsleyMar 12–Apr 2
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 24–Nov 28
GarlicOct 17–Nov 21
Daffodil bulbsOct 10–Nov 21
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 26–Mar 12
AsparagusFeb 26–Mar 12

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 5Mar 26Apr 9Oct 26Nov 7Nov 26
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 21Mar 12Mar 30Nov 4Nov 19Dec 10

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 Decatur 4SE (USC00012209) sits 3.2 miles from the center of Decatur at 550 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 Decatur, AL?

The average last frost date in Decatur is March 26, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 9.

When is the first frost in Decatur?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 7. One year in ten it arrives before October 26.

How long is the growing season in Decatur?

About 228 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Decatur?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 2 to April 16. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Alabama

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