Dauphin Island, AL frost dates
Last spring frostJan 31median date
First fall frostJan 6median date
Growing season340 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
Frost is light and occasional here — typically a few cold nights around midwinter (about 4 a year). Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
How Dauphin Island compares
- In a typical year, frost nights in Dauphin Island fall between January 6 and January 31. In 1 year in 10 the first frost comes as early as December 12, or the last frost as late as February 27.
- Nearby Mobile, AL, 48 km away, has a regular frost season (last frost Feb 21), a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 1 |
| 50% (median) | January 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | February 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | December 12 |
| 50% (median) | January 6 |
| 90% (late) | February 2 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Dauphin Island, AL
Dauphin Island, AL frost dates — last frost Jan 31, first frost Jan 6, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
In mild climates, summer heat limits many crops as much as frost does. Use this calendar for spring planting and lean on fall and winter for cool-season crops.
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 8 to Nov 22Transplant outside: Jan 3 to Jan 17
Start indoors: Nov 22 to Dec 6Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28
Start indoors: Nov 22 to Dec 6Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Jan 10 to Jan 24Sow outdoors: Jan 3 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Nov 11 to Dec 9
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Jan 3 to Jan 17Sow outdoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Plant for fall: Oct 28 to Nov 18
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Jan 17 to Jan 31Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Jan 10 to Jan 24Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Jan 17 to Jan 31Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21
Sow outdoors: Dec 20 to Jan 10Sow outdoors: Dec 20 to Jan 10Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 4
Sow outdoors: Dec 20 to Jan 10Sow outdoors: Dec 20 to Jan 10Plant for fall: Nov 11 to Dec 2
Sow outdoors: Dec 27 to Feb 7Sow outdoors: Dec 27 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Nov 25 to Dec 16
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 21Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 4
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 10Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Oct 28 to Nov 11
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 10Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 10 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Oct 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 10 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Oct 28 to Nov 11
Sow outdoors: Jan 10 to Jan 31
Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Oct 28 to Nov 11
Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Nov 11 to Dec 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21
Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Mar 7
Plant for fall: Dec 23 to Jan 27Plant for fall: Dec 23 to Jan 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dauphin Island, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 8 – Nov 22 | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Nov 22 – Dec 6 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Nov 22 – Dec 6 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Jan 3 – Feb 7 | Nov 11 – Dec 9 |
| Kale | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Oct 28 – Nov 18 |
| Broccoli | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Cabbage | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | — | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Okra | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — |
| Basil | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Dec 20 – Jan 10 | Oct 14 – Nov 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Dec 20 – Jan 10 | Nov 11 – Dec 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Dec 27 – Feb 7 | Nov 25 – Dec 16 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Oct 21 – Nov 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Oct 28 – Nov 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 10 – Feb 7 | Oct 14 – Oct 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 10 – Feb 7 | Oct 28 – Nov 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 10 – Jan 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 17 – Feb 14 | Oct 28 – Nov 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 17 – Feb 7 | Nov 11 – Dec 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Oct 21 – Nov 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Dec 23 – Jan 27 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Dauphin Is #2, AL weather station, 3 km away (elevation 7 ft (2 m)).
Frost dates near Dauphin Island
- Coden Mar 13 · Nov 24
- Bayou La Batre Mar 13 · Nov 24
- Irvington Mar 13 · Nov 24
- Point Clear Mar 10 · Nov 17
- Theodore Mar 13 · Nov 24
- Saint Elmo Mar 13 · Nov 24
- Grand Bay Mar 13 · Nov 24
- Fairhope Mar 10 · Nov 17
- Bon Secour Mar 5 · Nov 23
- Magnolia Springs Mar 15 · Nov 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dauphin Island, AL?
The median last spring frost in Dauphin Island, AL is January 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after February 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Dauphin Island, AL?
The median first fall frost is January 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before December 12.
How long is the growing season in Dauphin Island, AL?
About 340 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dauphin Island, AL?
Dauphin Island, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.