Dutton, AL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 2median date
First fall frostOct 30median date
Growing season211 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Dutton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Dutton falls between March 18 and April 19, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 18 and November 12.
- The median last frost is 10 days later than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 211-day growing season is longer than 11% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is 4 days later than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 72 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Huntsville, AL, 63 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there and the growing season is 18 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 18 |
| 50% (median) | April 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 18 |
| 50% (median) | October 30 |
| 90% (late) | November 12 |
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 Dutton, AL
Dutton, AL frost dates — last frost Apr 2, first frost Oct 30, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Transplant outside: Apr 16 to May 7
Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dutton, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 5 – Apr 9 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Basil | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 16 – Nov 20 |
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 Scottsboro 2 Ne, AL weather station, 13 km away (elevation 636 ft (194 m)).
Frost dates near Dutton
- Pisgah Apr 2 · Oct 30
- Section Apr 4 · Oct 30
- Sylvania Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Rainsville Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Hollywood Apr 2 · Oct 30
- Henagar Apr 7 · Oct 30
- Fyffe Mar 31 · Nov 3
- Scottsboro Apr 4 · Oct 30
- Fort Payne Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Groveoak Mar 31 · Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dutton, AL?
The median last spring frost in Dutton, AL is April 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Dutton, AL?
The median first fall frost is October 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 18.
How long is the growing season in Dutton, AL?
About 211 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dutton, AL?
Dutton, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.