Dawson, GA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 21median date
First fall frostNov 13median date
Growing season237 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Dawson compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Dawson falls between February 28 and April 7, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 30 and December 3.
- The median last frost is the same as the Georgia median of Mar 21.
- Its 237-day growing season is longer than 52% of the 618 Georgia places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 37 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Albany, GA, 41 km away, the last frost here is 11 days later than there and the growing season is 18 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 28 |
| 50% (median) | March 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 30 |
| 50% (median) | November 13 |
| 90% (late) | December 3 |
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 Dawson, GA
Dawson, GA frost dates — last frost Mar 21, first frost Nov 13, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Plant for fall: Oct 30 to Dec 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dawson, GA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 21 – Mar 28 | Sep 18 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Broccoli | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Okra | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Basil | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 28 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 30 – Dec 4 |
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 Cuthbert, GA weather station, 25 km away (elevation 463 ft (141 m)).
Frost dates near Dawson
- Shellman Mar 21 · Nov 13
- Parrott Mar 15 · Nov 17
- Bronwood Mar 12 · Nov 19
- Sasser Mar 12 · Nov 19
- Weston Apr 1 · Nov 4
- Cuthbert Mar 21 · Nov 13
- Morgan Mar 11 · Nov 13
- Edison Mar 21 · Nov 13
- Smithville Mar 12 · Nov 19
- Leary Mar 11 · Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dawson, GA?
The median last spring frost in Dawson, GA is March 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Dawson, GA?
The median first fall frost is November 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 30.
How long is the growing season in Dawson, GA?
About 237 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dawson, GA?
Dawson, GA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.