Last frost date in Helena, AL

Average last frost
March 19

The average last frost in Helena is March 19. By April 9 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 8, which leaves 236 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 26 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 9
Average first frost
Nov 8
Frost-free season
236 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 4
Next 7 nights in Helena

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2248°
  2. FriOct 2347°
  3. SatOct 2447°
  4. SunOct 2546°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2748°
  7. WedOct 2848°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 19First frost Nov 8236 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND236 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Helena, 3.2 miles from Helena.

Planting calendar for Helena

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 26–Apr 9
PumpkinsApr 2–Apr 16
SunflowersMar 19–Apr 9
CucumbersApr 2–Apr 9
CornMar 26–Apr 9
Sweet potatoesApr 9–Apr 23
WatermelonApr 2–Apr 16
Green beansMar 26–Apr 16
ZucchiniMar 26–Apr 9
OkraApr 9–Apr 23
PeppersApr 2–Apr 16
BasilMar 26–Apr 9
Butternut squashMar 26–Apr 9
CantaloupeApr 2–Apr 16
EggplantApr 2–Apr 16
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 19–Mar 5
OnionsFeb 5–Feb 26
CarrotsFeb 26–Apr 2
LettuceMar 5–Mar 26
BroccoliFeb 19–Mar 5
BeetsFeb 19–Apr 2
PeasFeb 5–Feb 19
CabbageFeb 19–Mar 5
RadishesFeb 12–Mar 26
Brussels sproutsMar 5–Mar 19
SpinachFeb 5–Feb 26
CilantroMar 5–Mar 26
KaleFeb 19–Mar 5
Collard greensFeb 19–Mar 5
TurnipsFeb 19–Mar 5
DillMar 19–Apr 2
CeleryMar 26–Apr 2
CauliflowerMar 5–Mar 19
LeeksMar 5–Mar 19
Swiss chardMar 5–Apr 2
ParsleyMar 5–Mar 26
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 25–Nov 29
GarlicOct 18–Nov 22
Daffodil bulbsOct 11–Nov 22
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 19–Mar 5
AsparagusFeb 19–Mar 5

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FFeb 26Mar 19Apr 9Oct 26Nov 8Nov 29
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 8Mar 4Mar 25Nov 3Nov 22Dec 13

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 Helena (USC00013781) sits 3.2 miles from the center of Helena at 480 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 Helena, AL?

The average last frost date in Helena is March 19, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 9.

When is the first frost in Helena?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 8. One year in ten it arrives before October 26.

How long is the growing season in Helena?

About 236 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Helena?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 26 to April 9. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Alabama

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