Frost Dates for Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
Last spring frost April 4 · First fall frost October 25 · 204 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 35661 has about 19,200 people.
Long season: 204 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 22–April 18 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans October 9–November 13 (35 days).
Frost probability for 35661
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 18 | April 4 | March 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 9 | October 25 | November 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MOULTON 2 (40.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 204-day season in Muscle Shoals
In Muscle Shoals (204 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 162 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 18. | Jun 25 |
| Pepper | Feb 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 162 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 18. | Jun 30 |
| Lettuce | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 3 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 246 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 14. | Aug 23 |
| Cucumber | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Beans | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Peas | — | Feb 7–Apr 18 | 267 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 7. | Aug 14 |
| Zucchini | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Onion | Jan 10 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 239 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 7–Mar 28 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 22 |
| Kale | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 239 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 7. | Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 253 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 7. | Aug 23 |
| Radish | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 23 |
| Beets | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 21. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 25 | 309 | overwinter: Plant Oct 25 to Nov 15; harvest the following summer. | Nov 15 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 28–Apr 25 | 260 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 11. | Jul 7 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 169 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 18. | Jun 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 218 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 28. | Aug 4 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Mar 21 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 22 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 253 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 7. | Jul 24 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 169 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 18. | Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 162 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 18. | Jul 5 |
| Okra | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Basil | Feb 28 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 7–Mar 28 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Parsley | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 11. | Aug 9 |
| Celery | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 204 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 11. | Jun 20 |
| Scallions | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 7 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 3 |
| Collards | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 162 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 18. | Jun 20 |
| Chives | Jan 10 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 218 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Oregano | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 218 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 10 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 204 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Sage | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 218 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 218 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Cosmos | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Lavender | Jan 10 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Melons | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 162 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 18. | Jun 20 |
| Mint | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 183 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 11. | Jul 24 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 18. | Jun 22 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 190 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 4. | Jul 19 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 11. | Jun 30 |
| Watermelon | Mar 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 11. | Jun 25 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Zinnias | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
Month by month in Muscle Shoals
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 10), Lavender (Jan 10), Onion (Jan 10), Rosemary (Jan 10), Celery (Jan 24), Collards (Jan 24), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 7), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 7), Cabbage (Feb 7), Lettuce (Feb 7), Sage (Feb 7), Swiss Chard (Feb 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 7), Beets (Feb 7), Dill (Feb 7), Peas (Feb 7), Radish (Feb 7), Spinach (Feb 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 28). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 7), Corn (Mar 7), Cosmos (Mar 7), Nasturtiums (Mar 7), Okra (Mar 7), Zinnias (Mar 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 7), Turnip (Mar 7), Carrots (Mar 14), Potatoes (Mar 21). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 7), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 7), Cabbage (Mar 7), Collards (Mar 7), Kale (Mar 7), Lettuce (Mar 7), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 4), Beans (Apr 11), Pole Beans (Apr 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 4), Lavender (Apr 4), Marigolds (Apr 4), Mint (Apr 4), Nasturtiums (Apr 4), Zinnias (Apr 4), +23 more. Last frost around April 4. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 12), Pumpkin (Jun 12), Cantaloupe (Jun 20), Celery (Jun 20), Melons (Jun 20), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 22), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 5), Corn (Jul 7), Sunflowers (Jul 19), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 24), Pole Beans (Jul 24), Basil (Jul 29), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 3), Okra (Aug 3), Yellow Squash (Aug 3), Zucchini (Aug 3), Cauliflower (Aug 4), Beans (Aug 5), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 2), Scallions (Sep 2), Bok Choy (Sep 3), Lettuce (Sep 3), Kale (Sep 7), Kohlrabi (Sep 7), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 25). First frost around October 25. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 15). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Muscle Shoals, AL (ZIP 35661)?
The median last spring frost date for Muscle Shoals, AL (ZIP code 35661) is around April 4. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 22; one in ten it runs past April 18.
What is the first fall frost date in Muscle Shoals, AL?
The median first fall frost date for Muscle Shoals, AL is around October 25. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 9 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Muscle Shoals, AL?
The frost-free growing season in Muscle Shoals is about 204 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Muscle Shoals (204 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Muscle Shoals, AL?
Muscle Shoals, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Muscle Shoals, AL?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 28 and plant out Apr 18 in Muscle Shoals. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Muscle Shoals?
Two: plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1.
When do I plant garlic in Muscle Shoals?
Oct 25 to Nov 15; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Muscle Shoals?
Yes: plant out Apr 18 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 25 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Tuscumbia (ZIP 35674) has 211 frost-free days, 7 more than Muscle Shoals (ZIP 35661). See Tuscumbia ZIP 35674 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Florence, AL 35630 (6.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Killen, AL 35645 (9.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Tuscumbia, AL 35674 (13.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Russellville, AL 35653 (24.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Moulton, AL 35650 (26.9 mi)
- When to plant in AL
- When to plant Peppers in AL
- When to plant Cucumbers in AL
- When to plant Zucchini in AL
- When to plant Butternut Squash in AL
- When to plant Basil in AL
- When to plant Sweet Corn in AL
- Look up another ZIP