Last frost date in Bessemer, AL

Average last frost
March 23

Expect the last frost in Bessemer around March 23. Frost after April 11 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 10, which leaves 231 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 27 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 11
Average first frost
Nov 10
Frost-free season
231 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 9
Next 7 nights in Bessemer

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2248°
  2. FriOct 2347°
  3. SatOct 2447°
  4. SunOct 2546°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2749°
  7. WedOct 2848°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 23First frost Nov 10231 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND231 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Bessemer 3 WSW, 2.7 miles from Bessemer.

Planting calendar for Bessemer

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Alabama.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMar 30–Apr 13
PumpkinsApr 6–Apr 20
SunflowersMar 23–Apr 13
CucumbersApr 6–Apr 13
CornMar 30–Apr 13
Sweet potatoesApr 13–Apr 27
WatermelonApr 6–Apr 20
Green beansMar 30–Apr 20
ZucchiniMar 30–Apr 13
OkraApr 13–Apr 27
PeppersApr 6–Apr 20
BasilMar 30–Apr 13
Butternut squashMar 30–Apr 13
CantaloupeApr 6–Apr 20
EggplantApr 6–Apr 20
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 23–Mar 9
OnionsFeb 9–Mar 2
CarrotsMar 2–Apr 6
LettuceMar 9–Mar 30
BroccoliFeb 23–Mar 9
BeetsFeb 23–Apr 6
PeasFeb 9–Feb 23
CabbageFeb 23–Mar 9
RadishesFeb 16–Mar 30
Brussels sproutsMar 9–Mar 23
SpinachFeb 9–Mar 2
CilantroMar 9–Mar 30
KaleFeb 23–Mar 9
Collard greensFeb 23–Mar 9
TurnipsFeb 23–Mar 9
DillMar 23–Apr 6
CeleryMar 30–Apr 6
CauliflowerMar 9–Mar 23
LeeksMar 9–Mar 23
Swiss chardMar 9–Apr 6
ParsleyMar 9–Mar 30
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 27–Dec 1
GarlicOct 20–Nov 24
Daffodil bulbsOct 13–Nov 24
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 23–Mar 9
AsparagusFeb 23–Mar 9

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 3Mar 23Apr 11Oct 27Nov 10Nov 28
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 15Mar 9Mar 28Nov 4Nov 23Dec 12

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Bessemer 3 WSW (USC00010764) sits 2.7 miles from the center of Bessemer at 445 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Bessemer, AL?

The average last frost date in Bessemer is March 23, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 11.

When is the first frost in Bessemer?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 10. One year in ten it arrives before October 27.

How long is the growing season in Bessemer?

About 231 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Bessemer?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 30 to April 13. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Alabama

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