Frost dates for 35020 — Bessemer, AL
Last spring frostMar 23median date
First fall frostNov 10median date
Growing season232 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Bessemer compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bessemer falls between March 3 and April 11, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 27 and November 28.
- The median last frost is the same as the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 232-day growing season is longer than 51% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 57 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Birmingham, AL, 15 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 3 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 3 |
| 50% (median) | March 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 27 |
| 50% (median) | November 10 |
| 90% (late) | November 28 |
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 Bessemer, AL
Frost dates for 35020 — Bessemer, AL — last frost Mar 23, first frost Nov 10, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Plant for fall: Oct 27 to Dec 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bessemer, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Feb 23 – Mar 30 | Sep 15 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Okra | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Basil | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 30 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 27 – Dec 1 |
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 Bessemer 3 Wsw, AL weather station, 6 km away (elevation 446 ft (136 m)).
ZIP codes in Bessemer: 35020 35021 35022 35023
Frost dates near Bessemer
- Dolomite Mar 23 · Nov 10
- Shannon Mar 23 · Nov 10
- Fairfield Mar 23 · Nov 10
- Pleasant Grove Mar 23 · Nov 10
- Watson Mar 21 · Nov 11
- Birmingham Mar 21 · Nov 11
- Helena Mar 19 · Nov 8
- Docena Mar 21 · Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bessemer, AL?
The median last spring frost in Bessemer, AL is March 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bessemer, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 27.
How long is the growing season in Bessemer, AL?
About 232 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bessemer, AL?
Bessemer, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.