Frost Dates for Bessemer, AL

In Bessemer, AL, the average last spring frost is around Mar 23 and the average first fall frost around Nov 10, for a growing season of about 231 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 11, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostMar 2350% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantApr 11only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostNov 1050% chance of frost before this date
Growing season231 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Bessemer 3 Wsw, AL weather station, 3 miles away, elevation 445 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%Apr 11Oct 27
20%Apr 5Nov 1
30%Mar 31Nov 3
40%Mar 27Nov 6
50%Mar 23Nov 10
60%Mar 20Nov 13
70%Mar 15Nov 17
80%Mar 9Nov 21
90%Mar 3Nov 28

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Apr 6Nov 1
Frost / freeze (32°F)Mar 23Nov 10
Hard freeze (28°F)Mar 9Nov 23

Planting calendar for Bessemer

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Jan 26 – Feb 9
Transplant Mar 30 – Apr 13
Peppers
Indoors Jan 12 – Jan 26
Transplant Apr 6 – Apr 20
Eggplant
Indoors Jan 12 – Jan 26
Transplant Apr 6 – Apr 20
Basil
Indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant Mar 30 – Apr 13
Cucumbers
Indoors Feb 23 – Mar 2
Sow or transplant Mar 30 – Apr 13
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Feb 23 – Mar 2
Sow or transplant Mar 30 – Apr 13
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Mar 30 – Apr 13
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Feb 23 – Mar 2
Sow or transplant Apr 6 – Apr 20
Green beans
Sow Mar 30 – Apr 13
Sweet corn
Sow Mar 30 – Apr 13
Lettuce
Indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23
Sow or transplant Feb 23 – Mar 9
Fall sowing Sep 15 – Oct 13
Spinach
Sow Feb 9 – Mar 2
Fall sowing Sep 15 – Oct 6
Peas
Sow Feb 9 – Feb 23
Fall sowing Sep 1 – Sep 15
Kale
Indoors Jan 26 – Feb 9
Sow or transplant Feb 23 – Mar 9
Fall sowing Sep 1 – Sep 29
Broccoli
Indoors Jan 26 – Feb 9
Transplant Mar 9 – Mar 23
Fall sowing Aug 18 – Sep 1
Cabbage
Indoors Jan 26 – Feb 9
Transplant Mar 2 – Mar 16
Fall sowing Aug 18 – Sep 1
Carrots
Sow Mar 2 – Mar 23
Fall sowing Aug 18 – Sep 1
Radishes
Sow Feb 16 – Mar 9
Fall sowing Sep 29 – Oct 20
Beets
Sow Mar 2 – Mar 23
Fall sowing Sep 1 – Sep 15
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Dec 29 – Jan 12
Plant Feb 23 – Mar 9
Potatoes
Plant Mar 2 – Mar 16
Garlic
Plant Nov 10 – Dec 8

Based on the average last frost (Mar 23) and first frost (Nov 10). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

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