Theodore, AL frost dates
Last spring frostMar 13median date
First fall frostNov 24median date
Growing season256 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Theodore compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Theodore falls between February 18 and April 2, a 43-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 4 and December 22.
- The median last frost is 10 days earlier than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 256-day growing season is longer than 84% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is 10 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 28 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Mobile, AL, 20 km away, the last frost here is 20 days later than there and the growing season is 32 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 18 |
| 50% (median) | March 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 4 |
| 50% (median) | November 24 |
| 90% (late) | December 22 |
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 Theodore, AL
Theodore, AL frost dates — last frost Mar 13, first frost Nov 24, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Feb 13 to Feb 27
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 27
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 13 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 3
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Plant for fall: Nov 10 to Dec 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Theodore, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Feb 13 – Mar 20 | Sep 29 – Oct 27 |
| Kale | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Broccoli | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cabbage | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Okra | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Basil | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 6 – Mar 20 | Oct 13 – Nov 3 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 20 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 20 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 10 – Dec 15 |
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 Coden, AL weather station, 14 km away (elevation 13 ft (4 m)).
ZIP codes in Theodore: 36582 36590
Frost dates near Theodore
- Saint Elmo Mar 13 · Nov 24
- Irvington Mar 13 · Nov 24
- Grand Bay Mar 13 · Nov 24
- Bayou La Batre Mar 13 · Nov 24
- Coden Mar 13 · Nov 24
- Mobile Feb 21 · Dec 6
- Semmes Mar 3 · Nov 25
- Point Clear Mar 10 · Nov 17
- Montrose Mar 10 · Nov 17
- Dauphin Island Jan 31 · Jan 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Theodore, AL?
The median last spring frost in Theodore, AL is March 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Theodore, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 4.
How long is the growing season in Theodore, AL?
About 256 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Theodore, AL?
Theodore, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.