Frost dates for 35040Calera, AL
The average last spring frost in Calera is March 12 and the average first fall frost is November 16, giving a typical growing season of about 248 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 12
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 16
- Growing season
- 248 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 13 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 27 · Apr 14 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 21 | 221 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 12 · Mar 31 | Nov 1 · Nov 16 · Dec 4 | 248 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 31 · Feb 27 · Mar 17 | Nov 10 · Dec 1 · Dec 28 | 278 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Calera
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Apr 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – May 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Apr 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Jan 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 6 – Dec 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35040 is matched to the NOAA station Alabaster Shelby Co Ap, AL, 8 km away, at 565 ft elevation (27 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabaster Shelby Co Ap, AL (used) | 565 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 16 |
| Helena, AL | 480 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 8 |
| Thorsby Exp Stn, AL | 680 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 11 |
| Clanton 2 Ne, AL | 584 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Calera
- Alabaster, AL 35007 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Montevallo, AL 35115 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Saginaw, AL 35137 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Wilton, AL 35187 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Siluria, AL 35144 · last Mar 19, first Nov 8
- Jemison, AL 35085 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Columbiana, AL 35051 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Maylene, AL 35114 · last Mar 19, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Calera, AL?
- For ZIP code 35040, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Alabaster Shelby Co Ap, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in Calera, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 35040?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 248 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.