Last frost date in Montgomery, AL

Average last frost
March 4

In Montgomery, the last spring frost comes around March 4 in an average year. Wait until March 23 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 18, which leaves 262 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 1 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 23
Average first frost
Nov 18
Frost-free season
262 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Feb 17
Next 7 nights in Montgomery

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2249°
  2. FriOct 2346°
  3. SatOct 2450°
  4. SunOct 2549°
  5. MonOct 2648°
  6. TueOct 2750°
  7. WedOct 2850°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 4First frost Nov 18262 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND262 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Montgomery 6SW, 6.8 miles from Montgomery.

Planting calendar for Montgomery

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 11–Mar 25
PumpkinsMar 18–Apr 1
SunflowersMar 4–Mar 25
CucumbersMar 18–Mar 25
CornMar 11–Mar 25
Sweet potatoesMar 25–Apr 8
WatermelonMar 18–Apr 1
Green beansMar 11–Apr 1
ZucchiniMar 11–Mar 25
OkraMar 25–Apr 8
PeppersMar 18–Apr 1
BasilMar 11–Mar 25
Butternut squashMar 11–Mar 25
CantaloupeMar 18–Apr 1
EggplantMar 18–Apr 1
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 4–Feb 18
OnionsJan 21–Feb 11
CarrotsFeb 11–Mar 18
LettuceFeb 18–Mar 11
BroccoliFeb 4–Feb 18
BeetsFeb 4–Mar 18
PeasJan 21–Feb 4
CabbageFeb 4–Feb 18
RadishesJan 28–Mar 11
Brussels sproutsFeb 18–Mar 4
SpinachJan 21–Feb 11
CilantroFeb 18–Mar 11
KaleFeb 4–Feb 18
Collard greensFeb 4–Feb 18
TurnipsFeb 4–Feb 18
DillMar 4–Mar 18
CeleryMar 11–Mar 18
CauliflowerFeb 18–Mar 4
LeeksFeb 18–Mar 4
Swiss chardFeb 18–Mar 18
ParsleyFeb 18–Mar 11
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsNov 4–Dec 9
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 4–Feb 18
AsparagusFeb 4–Feb 18

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FFeb 9Mar 4Mar 23Nov 1Nov 18Dec 10
Hard freeze, 28°FJan 24Feb 17Mar 14Nov 10Dec 4Jan 4

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 Montgomery 6SW (USC00015553) sits 6.8 miles from the center of Montgomery at 225 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 Montgomery, AL?

The average last frost date in Montgomery is March 4, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 23.

When is the first frost in Montgomery?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 18. One year in ten it arrives before November 1.

How long is the growing season in Montgomery?

About 262 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Montgomery?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 11 to March 25. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Alabama

All 33 cities in Alabama