Clayton, AL Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Mar 11
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 19
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
253 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 17 Mar 11 Mar 30
First fall frost Dec 11 Nov 19 Nov 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 28 · first Dec 3

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CLAYTON 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 Clayton

Computed from Clayton'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 14 – Jan 28 Mar 18 – Mar 25
🫑 Peppers Dec 31 – Jan 14 Mar 25 – Apr 1
🥬 Lettuce Jan 28 – Feb 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25 Feb 11 – Mar 11
🫛 Peas Jan 28 – Feb 11
🥕 Carrots Feb 18 – Mar 11
🥦 Broccoli Jan 21 – Feb 4 Feb 18 – Mar 4
🥬 Kale Jan 28 – Feb 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25 Feb 11 – Feb 25
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 11 – Feb 18 Mar 18 – Mar 25 Mar 18 – Mar 25
🥒 Zucchini Feb 11 – Feb 18 Mar 18 – Mar 25 Mar 18 – Mar 25
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 18 – Mar 25
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 18 – Mar 25
🌿 Basil Jan 28 – Feb 11 Mar 18 – Mar 25 Mar 25 – Apr 1
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 8 – Nov 5

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 Clayton's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Clayton

With roughly 253 frost-free days, Clayton 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 19 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Clayton, AL?

The average last spring frost in Clayton is around Mar 11, 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 Clayton, AL?

The average first fall frost in Clayton arrives around Nov 19. 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 Clayton?

About 253 frost-free days on average, from Mar 11 to Nov 19. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Clayton 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.