Dalton, GA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 2median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season216 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Dalton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Dalton falls between March 16 and April 21, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 22 and November 17.
- The median last frost is 12 days later than the Georgia median of Mar 21.
- Its 216-day growing season is longer than 12% of the 618 Georgia places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 4 days later than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 63 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Chattanooga, TN, 42 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 4 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 22 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 17 |
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 Dalton, GA
Dalton, GA frost dates — last frost Apr 2, first frost Nov 4, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Transplant outside: Apr 16 to May 7
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dalton, GA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 5 – Apr 9 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Basil | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
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 Dalton, GA weather station, 7 km away (elevation 801 ft (244 m)).
ZIP codes in Dalton: 30719 30720 30721 30722
Frost dates near Dalton
- Rocky Face Apr 2 · Nov 4
- Tunnel Hill Apr 2 · Nov 4
- Varnell Apr 2 · Nov 4
- Chatsworth Apr 2 · Nov 1
- Cohutta Apr 2 · Nov 4
- Eton Apr 2 · Nov 1
- Resaca Apr 2 · Nov 4
- Ringgold Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Sugar Valley Mar 29 · Nov 3
- Rock Spring Mar 25 · Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dalton, GA?
The median last spring frost in Dalton, GA is April 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Dalton, GA?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 22.
How long is the growing season in Dalton, GA?
About 216 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dalton, GA?
Dalton, GA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.