Madison, GA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 24median date
First fall frostNov 12median date
Growing season233 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Madison compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Madison falls between March 1 and April 12, a 42-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 31 and December 2.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the Georgia median of Mar 21.
- Its 233-day growing season is longer than 46% of the 618 Georgia places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier 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 45 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Athens, GA, 41 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 1 |
| 50% (median) | March 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 31 |
| 50% (median) | November 12 |
| 90% (late) | December 2 |
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 Madison, GA
Madison, GA frost dates — last frost Mar 24, first frost Nov 12, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Plant for fall: Oct 29 to Dec 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Madison, GA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Feb 24 – Mar 31 | Sep 17 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Broccoli | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Okra | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Basil | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 31 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 29 – Dec 3 |
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 Watkinsville 5 Sse, GA weather station, 22 km away (elevation 741 ft (226 m)).
Frost dates near Madison
- Buckhead Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Rutledge Mar 22 · Nov 14
- Bostwick Mar 24 · Nov 12
- Farmington Mar 24 · Nov 12
- Good Hope Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Social Circle Mar 22 · Nov 14
- High Shoals Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Shady Dale Apr 4 · Nov 1
- Bishop Mar 24 · Nov 12
- Newborn Mar 22 · Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Madison, GA?
The median last spring frost in Madison, GA is March 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Madison, GA?
The median first fall frost is November 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 31.
How long is the growing season in Madison, GA?
About 233 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Madison, GA?
Madison, GA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.