Frost dates for 35903 — Gadsden, AL
Last spring frostMar 19median date
First fall frostNov 13median date
Growing season239 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Gadsden compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Gadsden falls between February 27 and April 7, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 1.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 239-day growing season is longer than 66% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is 10 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 53 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Birmingham, AL, 101 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 4 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 27 |
| 50% (median) | March 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 13 |
| 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 Gadsden, AL
Frost dates for 35903 — Gadsden, AL — last frost Mar 19, first frost Nov 13, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Plant for fall: Oct 30 to Dec 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Gadsden, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 26 | Sep 18 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Broccoli | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Okra | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Basil | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 26 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 30 – Dec 4 |
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 Gadsden, AL weather station, 8 km away (elevation 564 ft (172 m)).
ZIP codes in Gadsden: 35901 35902 35903 35904 35905 35907
Frost dates near Gadsden
- Rainbow City Mar 19 · Nov 13
- Wellington Mar 19 · Nov 13
- Attalla Mar 19 · Nov 13
- Jacksonville Apr 6 · Oct 31
- Alexandria Mar 23 · Nov 9
- Ohatchee Mar 26 · Nov 4
- Bynum Mar 23 · Nov 9
- De Armanville Mar 23 · Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Gadsden, AL?
The median last spring frost in Gadsden, AL is March 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Gadsden, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Gadsden, AL?
About 239 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Gadsden, AL?
Gadsden, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.