Frost dates for 36547 — Gulf Shores, AL
Last spring frostMar 5median date
First fall frostNov 23median date
Growing season263 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Gulf Shores compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Gulf Shores falls between February 12 and March 26, a 42-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 5 and December 15.
- The median last frost is 18 days earlier than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 263-day growing season is longer than 90% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 9a, where the median is Mar 3.
- The weather station records an average of 28 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Pensacola, FL, 48 km away, the last frost here is 19 days later than there and the growing season is 35 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 12 |
| 50% (median) | March 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 5 |
| 50% (median) | November 23 |
| 90% (late) | December 15 |
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 Gulf Shores, AL
Frost dates for 36547 — Gulf Shores, AL — last frost Mar 5, first frost Nov 23, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 11 to Dec 25Transplant outside: Feb 5 to Feb 19
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 26
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Feb 5 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Sow outdoors: Jan 22 to Feb 12Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 22 to Feb 12Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 2
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 12Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 12Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 9
Plant for fall: Nov 9 to Dec 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Gulf Shores, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Feb 5 – Mar 12 | Sep 28 – Oct 26 |
| Kale | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Broccoli | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cabbage | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Okra | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Basil | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 22 – Feb 12 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 22 – Feb 12 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 29 – Mar 12 | Oct 12 – Nov 2 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | — | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | — | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 12 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 12 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 9 – Dec 14 |
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 Robertsdale, AL weather station, 36 km away (elevation 161 ft (49 m)).
ZIP codes in Gulf Shores: 36542 36547
Frost dates near Gulf Shores
- Bon Secour Mar 5 · Nov 23
- Orange Beach Feb 28 · Nov 29
- Foley Mar 5 · Nov 23
- Magnolia Springs Mar 15 · Nov 19
- Elberta Mar 5 · Nov 23
- Summerdale Mar 5 · Nov 23
- Lillian Feb 28 · Nov 29
- Silverhill Mar 5 · Nov 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Gulf Shores, AL?
The median last spring frost in Gulf Shores, AL is March 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 26, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Gulf Shores, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 5.
How long is the growing season in Gulf Shores, AL?
About 263 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Gulf Shores, AL?
Gulf Shores, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.