Frost Dates for Pelham, AL

In Pelham, AL, the average last spring frost is around Mar 19 and the average first fall frost around Nov 8, for a growing season of about 236 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 9, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostMar 1950% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantApr 9only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostNov 850% chance of frost before this date
Growing season236 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Helena, AL weather station, 6 miles away, elevation 480 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 9Oct 26
20%Apr 2Oct 31
30%Mar 29Nov 2
40%Mar 24Nov 5
50%Mar 19Nov 8
60%Mar 15Nov 11
70%Mar 10Nov 15
80%Mar 4Nov 20
90%Feb 26Nov 29

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 3Oct 30
Frost / freeze (32°F)Mar 19Nov 8
Hard freeze (28°F)Mar 4Nov 22

Planting calendar for Pelham

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Jan 22 – Feb 5
Transplant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Peppers
Indoors Jan 8 – Jan 22
Transplant Apr 2 – Apr 16
Eggplant
Indoors Jan 8 – Jan 22
Transplant Apr 2 – Apr 16
Basil
Indoors Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Cucumbers
Indoors Feb 19 – Feb 26
Sow or transplant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Feb 19 – Feb 26
Sow or transplant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Mar 26 – Apr 9
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Feb 19 – Feb 26
Sow or transplant Apr 2 – Apr 16
Green beans
Sow Mar 26 – Apr 9
Sweet corn
Sow Mar 26 – Apr 9
Lettuce
Indoors Feb 5 – Feb 19
Sow or transplant Feb 19 – Mar 5
Fall sowing Sep 13 – Oct 11
Spinach
Sow Feb 5 – Feb 26
Fall sowing Sep 13 – Oct 4
Peas
Sow Feb 5 – Feb 19
Fall sowing Aug 30 – Sep 13
Kale
Indoors Jan 22 – Feb 5
Sow or transplant Feb 19 – Mar 5
Fall sowing Aug 30 – Sep 27
Broccoli
Indoors Jan 22 – Feb 5
Transplant Mar 5 – Mar 19
Fall sowing Aug 16 – Aug 30
Cabbage
Indoors Jan 22 – Feb 5
Transplant Feb 26 – Mar 12
Fall sowing Aug 16 – Aug 30
Carrots
Sow Feb 26 – Mar 19
Fall sowing Aug 16 – Aug 30
Radishes
Sow Feb 12 – Mar 5
Fall sowing Sep 27 – Oct 18
Beets
Sow Feb 26 – Mar 19
Fall sowing Aug 30 – Sep 13
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Dec 25 – Jan 8
Plant Feb 19 – Mar 5
Potatoes
Plant Feb 26 – Mar 12
Garlic
Plant Nov 8 – Dec 6

Based on the average last frost (Mar 19) and first frost (Nov 8). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

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