Lester, AL frost dates
Last spring frostMar 30median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season219 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Lester compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lester falls between March 9 and April 14, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 23 and November 23.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 219-day growing season is longer than 24% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 66 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Decatur, AL, 42 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 7 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 9 |
| 50% (median) | March 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 23 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 23 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Lester, AL
Lester, AL frost dates — last frost Mar 30, first frost Nov 4, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Transplant outside: Apr 13 to May 4
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lester, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 2 – Apr 6 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Basil | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 23 – Apr 6 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Ardmore, TN weather station, 23 km away (elevation 886 ft (270 m)).
Frost dates near Lester
- Elkmont Mar 30 · Nov 4
- Anderson Mar 29 · Nov 4
- Athens Mar 20 · Nov 12
- Rogersville Mar 29 · Nov 4
- Ardmore Mar 30 · Nov 4
- Lexington Mar 29 · Nov 4
- Tanner Mar 27 · Nov 3
- Capshaw Mar 31 · Nov 1
- Harvest Mar 20 · Nov 12
- Hillsboro Mar 28 · Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lester, AL?
The median last spring frost in Lester, AL is March 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lester, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 23.
How long is the growing season in Lester, AL?
About 219 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lester, AL?
Lester, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.