Sheffield, AL frost dates
Last spring frostMar 30median date
First fall frostNov 3median date
Growing season218 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Sheffield compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sheffield falls between March 11 and April 13, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 22 and November 19.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 218-day growing season is longer than 23% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 67 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Decatur, AL, 67 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 8 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 11 |
| 50% (median) | March 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 22 |
| 50% (median) | November 3 |
| 90% (late) | November 19 |
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 Sheffield, AL
Sheffield, AL frost dates — last frost Mar 30, first frost Nov 3, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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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 8 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
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 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
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 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Transplant outside: Apr 13 to May 4
Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sheffield, 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 8 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| 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 11 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 23 – Apr 6 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| 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 11 – Aug 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 20 – Nov 24 |
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 Muscle Shoals Wtp, AL weather station, 5 km away (elevation 541 ft (165 m)).
Frost dates near Sheffield
- Muscle Shoals Mar 30 · Nov 3
- Tuscumbia Mar 30 · Nov 3
- Florence Mar 27 · Nov 3
- Leighton Mar 20 · Nov 8
- Cloverdale Mar 27 · Nov 3
- Killen Mar 29 · Nov 4
- Cherokee Apr 9 · Oct 28
- Town Creek Mar 28 · Nov 3
- Russellville Apr 5 · Oct 28
- Waterloo Apr 9 · Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sheffield, AL?
The median last spring frost in Sheffield, AL is March 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sheffield, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 22.
How long is the growing season in Sheffield, AL?
About 218 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sheffield, AL?
Sheffield, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.