When Is the Last Frost in Georgia?
The average last spring frost in Georgia falls between March 5 and April 3 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of March 23. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | Mar 24 | Apr 10 | Nov 8 | 231 days |
| Columbus | Mar 21 | Apr 9 | Nov 11 | 238 days |
| Augusta | Mar 23 | Apr 9 | Nov 9 | 232 days |
| Macon | Mar 21 | Apr 7 | Nov 10 | 235 days |
| Savannah | Mar 2 | Mar 25 | Nov 30 | 270 days |
| Athens | Mar 23 | Apr 10 | Nov 10 | 232 days |
| South Fulton | Mar 15 | Apr 4 | Nov 20 | 252 days |
| Sandy Springs | Mar 25 | Apr 12 | Nov 9 | 228 days |
| Roswell | Mar 25 | Apr 12 | Nov 9 | 228 days |
| Warner Robins | Mar 11 | Mar 31 | Nov 19 | 256 days |
| Albany | Mar 10 | Mar 30 | Nov 20 | 257 days |
| Stonecrest | Mar 31 | Apr 16 | Nov 6 | 220 days |
| Valdosta | Mar 5 | Mar 23 | Nov 27 | 267 days |
| Gainesville | Mar 27 | Apr 11 | Nov 12 | 231 days |
| Newnan | Mar 26 | Apr 13 | Nov 6 | 226 days |
| Rome | Apr 1 | Apr 19 | Nov 3 | 217 days |
| Canton | Apr 2 | Apr 19 | Nov 4 | 215 days |
| Hinesville | Mar 5 | Mar 26 | Nov 29 | 269 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 126 Georgia weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from February 8 at Brunswick, GA to April 26 at Blairsville Exp Stn, GA. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in Georgia?
The average first fall frost in Georgia arrives between November 3 and November 27 for most ZIP codes, with a median of November 11. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: Atlanta has a 10% chance of frost before October 27, Columbus has a 10% chance of frost before October 31 and Augusta has a 10% chance of frost before October 28. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Georgia?
Transplant tomatoes in Georgia 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Mar 31 – Apr 7 in Atlanta, Mar 28 – Apr 4 in Columbus and Mar 30 – Apr 6 in Augusta. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | after Apr 10 |
| Columbus | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | after Apr 9 |
| Augusta | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | after Apr 9 |
| Macon | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | after Apr 7 |
| Savannah | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | after Mar 25 |
| Athens | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | after Apr 10 |
| South Fulton | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | after Apr 4 |
| Sandy Springs | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | after Apr 12 |
| Roswell | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | after Apr 12 |
| Warner Robins | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | after Mar 31 |
| Albany | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | after Mar 30 |
| Stonecrest | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | after Apr 16 |
| Valdosta | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | after Mar 23 |
| Gainesville | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | after Apr 11 |
| Newnan | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | after Apr 13 |
| Rome | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | after Apr 19 |
| Canton | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | after Apr 19 |
| Hinesville | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | after Mar 26 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground.
What Can You Plant in Atlanta and When?
Atlanta's average last frost of March 24 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from February 10, broccoli and lettuce transplants from February 24, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after March 31.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Feb 10 – Feb 24direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Feb 17 – Mar 3direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Feb 24 – Mar 10transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Mar 3 – Mar 10direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 7transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 14transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 14transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 14transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for Atlanta (last frost Mar 24, NOAA station Atlanta Fulton Co AP, GA, 6 miles from ZIP 30314). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in Georgia?
The frost-free growing season in Georgia lasts about 214 to 267 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 235 days. Among the listed cities, Canton has the shortest season at 215 days and Savannah the longest at 270.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in Georgia range from 176 days at Blairsville Exp Stn, GA to 314 days at Brunswick, GA. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in Georgia?
Georgia spans USDA hardiness zones 7a to 9a, with zone 8a the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The Georgia planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in Georgia?
- The average last spring frost in Georgia falls between March 5 and April 3 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of March 23. Among major cities it ranges from March 2 in Savannah to April 2 in Canton.
- When is the last frost in Atlanta, Georgia?
- Atlanta's average last spring frost is March 24, and by April 10 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages November 8, giving a 231-day growing season (NOAA station Atlanta Fulton Co AP, GA).
- When should you plant tomatoes in Georgia?
- Transplant tomatoes in Georgia 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Mar 31 – Apr 7 in Atlanta, Mar 28 – Apr 4 in Columbus and Mar 30 – Apr 6 in Augusta. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in Georgia?
- The average first fall frost in Georgia arrives between November 3 and November 27 for most ZIP codes, with a median of November 11. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in Georgia?
- The frost-free growing season in Georgia lasts about 214 to 267 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 235 days, from 215 days in Canton to 270 days in Savannah.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.