Chatom, AL Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Chatom garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 26
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 8
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
227 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 3 Mar 26 Apr 11
First fall frost Nov 27 Nov 8 Oct 25
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 10 · first Nov 20

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CHATOM station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Chatom

Computed from Chatom's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 29 – Feb 12 Apr 2 – Apr 9
🫑 Peppers Jan 15 – Jan 29 Apr 9 – Apr 16
🥬 Lettuce Feb 12 – Feb 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12 Feb 26 – Mar 26
🫛 Peas Feb 12 – Feb 26
🥕 Carrots Mar 5 – Mar 26
🥦 Broccoli Feb 5 – Feb 19 Mar 5 – Mar 19
🥬 Kale Feb 12 – Feb 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12 Feb 26 – Mar 12
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 26 – Mar 5 Apr 2 – Apr 9 Apr 2 – Apr 9
🥒 Zucchini Feb 26 – Mar 5 Apr 2 – Apr 9 Apr 2 – Apr 9
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 2 – Apr 9
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 2 – Apr 9
🌿 Basil Feb 12 – Feb 26 Apr 2 – Apr 9 Apr 9 – Apr 16
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 27 – Oct 25

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Chatom's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Chatom

With roughly 227 frost-free days, Chatom gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 8 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Chatom, AL?

The average last spring frost in Chatom is around Mar 26, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Chatom, AL?

The average first fall frost in Chatom arrives around Nov 8. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Chatom?

About 227 frost-free days on average, from Mar 26 to Nov 8. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Chatom in?

USDA zone 8b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.