Leighton, AL frost dates
Last spring frostMar 20median date
First fall frostNov 8median date
Growing season233 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Leighton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Leighton falls between February 28 and April 6, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 25 and November 26.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 233-day growing season is longer than 53% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is 9 days earlier 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 56 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Decatur, AL, 51 km away, the last frost here is 6 days earlier than there and the growing season is 7 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 28 |
| 50% (median) | March 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 25 |
| 50% (median) | November 8 |
| 90% (late) | November 26 |
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 Leighton, AL
Leighton, AL frost dates — last frost Mar 20, first frost Nov 8, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Leighton, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Feb 20 – Mar 27 | Sep 13 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Broccoli | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Okra | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Basil | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 27 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 25 – Nov 29 |
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 Muscle Shoals Rgnl Ap, AL weather station, 8 km away (elevation 541 ft (165 m)).
Frost dates near Leighton
- Town Creek Mar 28 · Nov 3
- Muscle Shoals Mar 30 · Nov 3
- Tuscumbia Mar 30 · Nov 3
- Sheffield Mar 30 · Nov 3
- Courtland Mar 28 · Nov 3
- Killen Mar 29 · Nov 4
- Florence Mar 27 · Nov 3
- Rogersville Mar 29 · Nov 4
- Mount Hope Apr 2 · Oct 31
- Russellville Apr 5 · Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Leighton, AL?
The median last spring frost in Leighton, AL is March 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Leighton, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 25.
How long is the growing season in Leighton, AL?
About 233 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Leighton, AL?
Leighton, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.