Bessemer, AL planting zone & frost dates
Bessemer is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 23 and the first fall frost around November 10, for a growing season of about 231 days.
Planting calendar for Bessemer
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 23) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 12 – Jan 26 Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 12 – Jan 26 Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 12 – Jan 26 Transplant outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 12 – Jan 26 Transplant outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 15 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 10).
Useful for zone 8a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 3 | Mar 23 | Apr 11 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 28 | Nov 10 | Oct 27 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 11, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 27. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 9.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Bessemer
- 35020 zone 8a
- 35021 zone 8a
- 35022 zone 8b
- 35023 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Hueytown zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Pleasant Grove zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Fairfield zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Hoover zone 8b, last frost Mar 19
- Helena zone 8a, last frost Mar 19
- Homewood zone 8b, last frost Mar 21
- Vestavia Hills zone 8b, last frost Mar 21
- Forestdale zone 8a, last frost Mar 21
Questions
What growing zone is Bessemer, AL?
Bessemer is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 8b.
When is the last frost in Bessemer?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Bessemer is March 23. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 11.
When can I plant tomatoes in Bessemer?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 30 – Apr 6. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Bessemer 3 Wsw, AL (USC00010764), 5.0 km (3.1 mi) from the city center, elevation 136 m, based on 28 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.