Bristol, GA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 17median date
First fall frostNov 16median date
Growing season244 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Bristol compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bristol falls between February 22 and April 8, a 45-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 28 and December 6.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Georgia median of Mar 21.
- Its 244-day growing season is longer than 62% of the 618 Georgia places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 14 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 36 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 22 |
| 50% (median) | March 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 28 |
| 50% (median) | November 16 |
| 90% (late) | December 6 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Bristol, GA
Bristol, GA frost dates — last frost Mar 17, first frost Nov 16, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Oct 26
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Plant for fall: Nov 2 to Dec 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bristol, GA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 17 – Mar 24 | Sep 21 – Oct 19 |
| Kale | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Broccoli | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Okra | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Basil | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 3 – Feb 24 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 3 – Feb 24 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 24 | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 24 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 24 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 2 – Dec 7 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Surrency, GA weather station, 25 km away (elevation 200 ft (61 m)).
Frost dates near Bristol
- Mershon Mar 17 · Nov 16
- Offerman Mar 25 · Nov 15
- Patterson Mar 15 · Nov 17
- Screven Mar 24 · Nov 10
- Surrency Mar 17 · Nov 16
- Blackshear Mar 15 · Nov 17
- Alma Mar 11 · Nov 20
- Hortense Mar 25 · Nov 15
- Odum Mar 17 · Nov 16
- Waycross Mar 15 · Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bristol, GA?
The median last spring frost in Bristol, GA is March 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bristol, GA?
The median first fall frost is November 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 28.
How long is the growing season in Bristol, GA?
About 244 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bristol, GA?
Bristol, GA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.