Frost dates for 35142Shannon, AL
The average last spring frost in Shannon is March 23 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 231 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 23
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 231 days
Safer after Apr 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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 21 · Apr 6 · Apr 21 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 208 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 23 · Apr 11 | Oct 27 · Nov 10 · Nov 28 | 231 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 9 · Mar 28 | Nov 4 · Nov 23 · Dec 12 | 257 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shannon
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 20 – Apr 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – May 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Mar 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35142 is matched to the NOAA station Bessemer 3 Wsw, AL, 12.5 km away, at 445 ft elevation (218 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bessemer 3 Wsw, AL (used) | 445 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 10 |
| Helena, AL | 480 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 8 |
| Birmingham Ap, AL | 615 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 11 |
| Alabaster Shelby Co Ap, AL | 565 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Shannon
- Birmingham, AL 35226 · last Mar 19, first Nov 8
- Bessemer, AL 35020 · last Mar 23, first Nov 10
- Fairfield, AL 35064 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Dolomite, AL 35061 · last Mar 23, first Nov 10
- Pleasant Grove, AL 35127 · last Mar 23, first Nov 10
- Helena, AL 35080 · last Mar 19, first Nov 8
- Pelham, AL 35124 · last Mar 19, first Nov 8
- Watson, AL 35181 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shannon, AL?
- For ZIP code 35142, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bessemer 3 Wsw, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 11.
- When is the first frost in Shannon, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 35142?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 231 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.