Fall in zone 8bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 36522 (Citronelle, 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, Chatom, AL (27 miles away).
Station is a bit far
The nearest station with freeze normals is over 40 km away, so dates here may be off by a week or more.
- Average last spring frostMar 2650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)228 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°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
69°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 65°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Perdido Riv Farms (43 mi), Tnc Fort Bayou (51 mi), Koptis Farms (52 mi).
4-inch depth
72°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 69°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Perdido Riv Farms (43 mi), Tnc Fort Bayou (51 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 36522 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 72°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 11 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
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 8: 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) | Mar 3 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 26 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 11 |
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) | Oct 25 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 8 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 27 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 8 | Oct 29 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 26 | Nov 8 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 10 | Nov 20 |
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 36522
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 26) and first fall frost (Nov 8). 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 29–Feb 12 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | Jul 12–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 15–29 | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 15–29 | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 29–Feb 12 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 29–Feb 12 | Mar 5–26 (transplant) Feb 26–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 4 (transplant) Aug 30–Sep 27 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 12–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 29–Feb 12 | Feb 26–Mar 12 (transplant) Feb 26–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (transplant) Aug 2–30 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 29–Feb 12 | Feb 26–Mar 26 (transplant) Feb 26–Mar 26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (transplant) Aug 2–30 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 15–29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 (transplant) | Aug 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 15–29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 (transplant) | Aug 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 15–29 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 2–30 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 1–15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 29–Feb 12 | Feb 26–Mar 12 (transplant) Feb 26–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 26–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 26–Mar 26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 26–Mar 19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 12–26 | Mar 12–Apr 2 (transplant) Mar 12–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 26–Mar 26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 5–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 19–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 26–Mar 19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 29–Feb 26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 1–15 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 12–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 1–15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 27–Oct 25 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 27–Oct 25 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 26–Mar 12 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 16–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 26–Mar 5 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) Apr 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 26–Mar 5 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) Apr 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 26–Mar 5 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) Apr 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 26–Mar 5 | Apr 9–23 (transplant) Apr 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 26–Mar 5 | Apr 9–23 (transplant) Apr 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 12–26 | Apr 9–23 (transplant) Apr 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 1–15 | Apr 2–9 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 12–26 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) Apr 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 12–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 15–29 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) Mar 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 26–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 26–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 26–Mar 12 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 26–Mar 12 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 26–Mar 12 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (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: Chatom, AL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00011566), elevation 285 ft, 26.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL | 28 mi | Mar 3 | Nov 25 |
| Bay Minette, AL | 32 mi | Feb 28 | Nov 25 |
| Mobile Dwtn AP, AL | 34 mi | Feb 21 | Dec 6 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 36 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 36522
When is the last frost in 36522?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 36522 is March 26. For a more cautious planting date, use April 11, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 36522?
The average first fall freeze is November 8. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 25.
What hardiness zone is 36522?
ZIP 36522 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 36522 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
36521 Chunchula 36584 Vinegar Bend 36529 Deer Park 36560 Mount Vernon 36553 Sims Chapel 36512 Bucks 36513 Calvert 36587
Other ZIP codes in Mobile County
36505 36509 36512 36521 36523 36525 36528 36541 36544 36560 36568 36571 36572 36575 36582 36587 36602 36603 36604 36605 36606 36607 36608 36609 All Mobile 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.