Muscle Shoals 2 N, AL Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Muscle Shoals 2 N garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 27
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 3
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
221 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 7 Mar 27 Apr 13
First fall frost Nov 19 Nov 3 Oct 22
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 12 · first Nov 14

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MUSCLE SHOALS 2 N 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 Muscle Shoals 2 N

Computed from Muscle Shoals 2 N'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 30 – Feb 13 Apr 3 – Apr 10
🫑 Peppers Jan 16 – Jan 30 Apr 10 – Apr 17
🥬 Lettuce Feb 13 – Feb 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13 Feb 27 – Mar 27
🫛 Peas Feb 13 – Feb 27
🥕 Carrots Mar 6 – Mar 27
🥦 Broccoli Feb 6 – Feb 20 Mar 6 – Mar 20
🥬 Kale Feb 13 – Feb 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13 Feb 27 – Mar 13
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 27 – Mar 6 Apr 3 – Apr 10 Apr 3 – Apr 10
🥒 Zucchini Feb 27 – Mar 6 Apr 3 – Apr 10 Apr 3 – Apr 10
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 3 – Apr 10
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 3 – Apr 10
🌿 Basil Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 3 – Apr 10 Apr 10 – Apr 17
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 22 – Oct 20

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 Muscle Shoals 2 N's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Muscle Shoals 2 N

With roughly 221 frost-free days, Muscle Shoals 2 N 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 3 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Muscle Shoals 2 N, AL?

The average last spring frost in Muscle Shoals 2 N is around Mar 27, 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 Muscle Shoals 2 N, AL?

The average first fall frost in Muscle Shoals 2 N arrives around Nov 3. 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 Muscle Shoals 2 N?

About 221 frost-free days on average, from Mar 27 to Nov 3. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Muscle Shoals 2 N in?

USDA zone 8a 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.