Fall in zone 8aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 35976 (Guntersville, AL)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Guntersville NO.2, AL (1 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)247 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8a10 to 15°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
64°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 61°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Measured at USDA NRCS SCAN station Hodges, 11 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 70°, Fri 68°, Sat 65°.
4-inch depth
65°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 63°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Stanley Farm (22 mi), Cullman-NAHRC (29 mi), AAMU-JTG (33 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 35976 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 65°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Southeast (warm, humid). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Centipedegrass (warm-season): Spring: Not before mid-May (NC State); after full green-up (about May 2 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Optional mid-summer feeding, especially on sandy coastal soils. Avoid: Early-spring feeding, frequent feeding and liming unless a soil test calls for it (centipede decline).
Plant now
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 24–Oct 22
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 8–Nov 5
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 8–Nov 5
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 19: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Feb 26 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 17 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 5 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Nov 4 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 19 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 6 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 1 | Nov 7 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 17 | Nov 19 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 2 | Dec 1 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 35976
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 17) and first fall frost (Nov 19). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 6–20 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 6–20 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 24–Mar 17 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 15 (transplant) Sep 10–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 15 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) Aug 13–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 17–Mar 17 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) Aug 13–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 6–20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 6–20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 6–20 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 17–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 3–17 | Mar 3–24 (transplant) Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 24–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 10–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 17–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 24–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 20–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 8–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 13 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 17–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 17–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 17–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 17–24 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 17–24 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Mar 24–31 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 3–17 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 6–20 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Guntersville NO.2, AL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00013575), elevation 595 ft, 0.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guntersville, AL | 1 mi | Mar 19 | Nov 18 |
| Owens Cross Roads 3S, AL | 16 mi | Apr 4 | Oct 30 |
| Sand Mt Substn, AL | 21 mi | Mar 31 | Nov 3 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 18 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 35976
When is the last frost in 35976?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 35976 is March 17. For a more cautious planting date, use April 5, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 35976?
The average first fall freeze is November 19. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 4.
What hardiness zone is 35976?
ZIP 35976 is in USDA zone 8a (10 to 15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 35976 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
35950 Albertville 35951 Albertville 35016 Arab 35747 Grant 35980 Douglas 35957 Boaz 35175 Union Grove 35760 New Hope
Other ZIP codes in Marshall County
35016 35175 35747 35755 35950 35951 35957 35980 All Marshall County frost dates · Alabama frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.