Last frost date in Dothan, AL

Average last frost
March 1

Expect the last frost in Dothan around March 1. Frost after March 21 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 24, which leaves 270 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 7 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 21
Average first frost
Nov 24
Frost-free season
270 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Feb 12
Next 7 nights in Dothan

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2253°
  2. FriOct 2350°
  3. SatOct 2454°
  4. SunOct 2554°
  5. MonOct 2651°
  6. TueOct 2752°
  7. WedOct 2853°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 1First frost Nov 24270 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND270 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Dothan Regional Airport, 6.6 miles from Dothan.

Planting calendar for Dothan

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
TomatoesMar 8–Mar 22
PumpkinsMar 15–Mar 29
SunflowersMar 1–Mar 22
CucumbersMar 15–Mar 22
CornMar 8–Mar 22
Sweet potatoesMar 22–Apr 5
WatermelonMar 15–Mar 29
Green beansMar 8–Mar 29
ZucchiniMar 8–Mar 22
OkraMar 22–Apr 5
PeppersMar 15–Mar 29
BasilMar 8–Mar 22
Butternut squashMar 8–Mar 22
CantaloupeMar 15–Mar 29
EggplantMar 15–Mar 29
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 1–Feb 15
OnionsJan 18–Feb 8
CarrotsFeb 8–Mar 15
LettuceFeb 15–Mar 8
BroccoliFeb 1–Feb 15
BeetsFeb 1–Mar 15
PeasJan 18–Feb 1
CabbageFeb 1–Feb 15
RadishesJan 25–Mar 8
Brussels sproutsFeb 15–Mar 1
SpinachJan 18–Feb 8
CilantroFeb 15–Mar 8
KaleFeb 1–Feb 15
Collard greensFeb 1–Feb 15
TurnipsFeb 1–Feb 15
DillMar 1–Mar 15
CeleryMar 8–Mar 15
CauliflowerFeb 15–Mar 1
LeeksFeb 15–Mar 1
Swiss chardFeb 15–Mar 15
ParsleyFeb 15–Mar 8
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsNov 10–Dec 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 1–Feb 15
AsparagusFeb 1–Feb 15

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FFeb 3Mar 1Mar 21Nov 7Nov 24Dec 24
Hard freeze, 28°FJan 14Feb 12Mar 11Nov 17Dec 16Jan 17

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 Dothan Regional Airport (USW00013839) sits 6.6 miles from the center of Dothan at 370 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 Dothan, AL?

The average last frost date in Dothan is March 1, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 21.

When is the first frost in Dothan?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 24. One year in ten it arrives before November 7.

How long is the growing season in Dothan?

About 270 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Dothan?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 8 to March 22. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Alabama

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