Muscle Shoals Wtp, AL Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Muscle Shoals Wtp garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 30
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 3
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
218 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 11 Mar 30 Apr 13
First fall frost Nov 19 Nov 3 Oct 22
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 17 · first Nov 14

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MUSCLE SHOALS WTP station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Muscle Shoals Wtp

Computed from Muscle Shoals Wtp's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 2 – Feb 16 Apr 6 – Apr 13
🫑 Peppers Jan 19 – Feb 2 Apr 13 – Apr 20
🥬 Lettuce Feb 16 – Mar 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16 Mar 2 – Mar 30
🫛 Peas Feb 16 – Mar 2
🥕 Carrots Mar 9 – Mar 30
🥦 Broccoli Feb 9 – Feb 23 Mar 9 – Mar 23
🥬 Kale Feb 16 – Mar 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16 Mar 2 – Mar 16
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 2 – Mar 9 Apr 6 – Apr 13 Apr 6 – Apr 13
🥒 Zucchini Mar 2 – Mar 9 Apr 6 – Apr 13 Apr 6 – Apr 13
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 6 – Apr 13
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 6 – Apr 13
🌿 Basil Feb 16 – Mar 2 Apr 6 – Apr 13 Apr 13 – Apr 20
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 22 – Oct 20

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Muscle Shoals Wtp's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Muscle Shoals Wtp

With roughly 218 frost-free days, Muscle Shoals Wtp gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 3 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Muscle Shoals Wtp, AL?

The average last spring frost in Muscle Shoals Wtp is around Mar 30, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Muscle Shoals Wtp, AL?

The average first fall frost in Muscle Shoals Wtp arrives around Nov 3. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Muscle Shoals Wtp?

About 218 frost-free days on average, from Mar 30 to Nov 3. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Muscle Shoals Wtp in?

USDA zone 8a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.