Frost dates for 35542Bankston, AL
The average last spring frost in Bankston is March 20 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 234 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 20
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 234 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 16 · Apr 4 · Apr 21 | Oct 18 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 208 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 20 · Apr 9 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 30 | 234 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 8 · Mar 5 · Mar 24 | Nov 4 · Nov 22 · Dec 16 | 262 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bankston
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 17 – Apr 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – May 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Mar 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35542 is matched to the NOAA station Fayette, AL, 11.7 km away, at 357 ft elevation (63 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayette, AL (used) | 357 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 9 |
| Winfield 2 Sw, AL | 520 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 1 |
| Vernon, AL | 298 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 5 |
| Bankhead L&D, AL | 280 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Bankston
- Berry, AL 35546 · last Mar 20, first Nov 9
- Fayette, AL 35555 · last Mar 20, first Nov 9
- Belk, AL 35545 · last Mar 20, first Nov 9
- Glen Allen, AL 35559 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Kansas, AL 35573 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
- Eldridge, AL 35554 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Carbon Hill, AL 35549 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
- Winfield, AL 35594 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bankston, AL?
- For ZIP code 35542, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Fayette, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Bankston, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. 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 35542?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 234 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.