Frost dates for 35021 — Bessemer, AL
Last spring frostMar 21median date
First fall frostNov 11median date
Growing season235 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Bessemer compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bessemer falls between February 28 and April 8, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 30 and December 1.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 235-day growing season is longer than 57% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is 8 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 47 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Bessemer shares its weather station with Birmingham, AL, 8 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 28 |
| 50% (median) | March 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 30 |
| 50% (median) | November 11 |
| 90% (late) | December 1 |
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 35021 — Bessemer, AL — last frost Mar 21, first frost Nov 11, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Plant for fall: Oct 28 to Dec 2
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 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 21 – Mar 28 | Sep 16 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Broccoli | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Okra | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Basil | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 28 | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 28 – Dec 2 |
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 Birmingham Ap, AL weather station, 17 km away (elevation 617 ft (188 m)).
ZIP codes in Bessemer: 35020 35021 35022 35023
Frost dates near Bessemer
- Watson Mar 21 · Nov 11
- Docena Mar 21 · Nov 11
- Adamsville Mar 21 · Nov 11
- Pleasant Grove Mar 23 · Nov 10
- Fairfield Mar 23 · Nov 10
- Birmingham Mar 21 · Nov 11
- Dolomite Mar 23 · Nov 10
- Brookside 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 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 8, 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 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 30.
How long is the growing season in Bessemer, AL?
About 235 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.