Fall in zone 8bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 36773 (Dallas County, AL)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Selma 13 WNW, AL (14 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 2150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 550% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)229 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
68°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 64°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at NOAA USCRN station Selma 13 WNW, 14 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 73°, Fri 72°, Sat 68°.
4-inch depth
71°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 69°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at NOAA USCRN station Selma 13 WNW, 14 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 73°, Fri 73°, Sat 71°.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 36773 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 71°F at 4 inches. Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Southeast (warm, humid). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Centipedegrass (warm-season): Spring: Not before mid-May (NC State); after full green-up (about May 6 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Optional mid-summer feeding, especially on sandy coastal soils. Avoid: Early-spring feeding, frequent feeding and liming unless a soil test calls for it (centipede decline).
Plant now
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 5: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Feb 26 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 21 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 12 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 24 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 5 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 21 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 5 | Oct 28 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 21 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 3 | Nov 15 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 36773
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 21) and first fall frost (Nov 5). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 24–Feb 7 | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) | Jul 9–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 10–24 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | Jul 16–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 10–24 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | Jul 16–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 24–Feb 7 | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 24–Feb 7 | Feb 28–Mar 21 (transplant) Feb 21–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 1 (transplant) Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 7–28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 24–Feb 7 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) Jul 30–Aug 27 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 24–Feb 7 | Feb 21–Mar 21 (transplant) Feb 21–Mar 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) Jul 30–Aug 27 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 10–24 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 10–24 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 10–24 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | Jul 16–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 24–Feb 7 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 21–Mar 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 21–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 7–21 | Mar 7–28 (transplant) Mar 7–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 21–Mar 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 28–Mar 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 14–Mar 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 21–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 28–Mar 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 24–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 7–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | Jul 16–30 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 11–May 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 21–28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) Mar 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 21–28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) Mar 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 21–28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) Mar 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 21–28 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 21–28 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 7–21 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Mar 28–Apr 4 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 7–21 | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) Mar 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 7–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 10–24 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 21–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 21–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Selma 13 WNW, AL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00063858), elevation 193 ft, 14.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Junction 2 NE, AL | 15 mi | Mar 19 | Nov 9 |
| Camden 3 NW, AL | 19 mi | Mar 18 | Nov 11 |
| Selma, AL | 23 mi | Mar 8 | Nov 18 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 13 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 36773
When is the last frost in 36773?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 36773 is March 21. For a more cautious planting date, use April 12, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 36773?
The average first fall freeze is November 5. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 24.
What hardiness zone is 36773?
ZIP 36773 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 36773 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
36720 36759 36728 Catherine 36767 Orrville 36786 Uniontown 36783 Thomaston 36723 Boykin 36738 Dayton
Other ZIP codes in Dallas County
36701 36703 36759 36761 36767 36775 All Dallas County frost dates · Alabama frost dates
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.