Sapelo Island, GA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 20median date
First fall frostDec 19median date
Growing season302 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
Frost is light and occasional here — typically a few cold nights around midwinter (about 12 a year). Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
How Sapelo Island compares
- In a typical year, frost nights in Sapelo Island fall between December 19 and February 20. In 1 year in 10 the first frost comes as early as November 23, or the last frost as late as March 16.
- Nearby Savannah, GA, 71 km away, has a regular frost season (last frost Mar 2), a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 25 |
| 50% (median) | February 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 23 |
| 50% (median) | December 19 |
| 90% (late) | January 15 |
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 Sapelo Island, GA
Sapelo Island, GA frost dates — last frost Feb 20, first frost Dec 19, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
In mild climates, summer heat limits many crops as much as frost does. Use this calendar for spring planting and lean on fall and winter for cool-season crops.
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 28 to Dec 12Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6
Start indoors: Dec 12 to Dec 26Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Dec 12 to Dec 26Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 21
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 31
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 6 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 6 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 9 to Jan 30Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Jan 9 to Jan 30Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 14
Sow outdoors: Jan 16 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Nov 7 to Nov 28
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 24
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 27
Plant for fall: Dec 5 to Jan 9Plant for fall: Dec 5 to Jan 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sapelo Island, GA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 28 – Dec 12 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Jan 23 – Feb 27 | Oct 24 – Nov 21 |
| Kale | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Oct 10 – Oct 31 |
| Broccoli | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cabbage | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Okra | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — |
| Basil | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 9 – Jan 30 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 9 – Jan 30 | Oct 24 – Nov 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 16 – Feb 27 | Nov 7 – Nov 28 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Oct 3 – Oct 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Oct 10 – Oct 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 27 | Sep 26 – Oct 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 27 | Oct 10 – Oct 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 6 – Mar 6 | Oct 10 – Oct 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Oct 24 – Nov 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Oct 3 – Oct 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Dec 5 – Jan 9 |
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 Sapelo Is, GA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 10 ft (3 m)).
Frost dates near Sapelo Island
- Meridian Feb 20 · Dec 19
- Darien Feb 20 · Dec 19
- Crescent Feb 20 · Dec 19
- Saint Simons Island Feb 9 · Dec 26
- Sea Island Feb 9 · Dec 26
- Townsend Feb 20 · Dec 19
- Brunswick Feb 8 · Dec 25
- Jekyll Island Feb 9 · Dec 26
- Riceboro Mar 5 · Nov 29
- Midway Mar 5 · Nov 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sapelo Island, GA?
The median last spring frost in Sapelo Island, GA is February 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sapelo Island, GA?
The median first fall frost is December 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 23.
How long is the growing season in Sapelo Island, GA?
About 302 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sapelo Island, GA?
Sapelo Island, GA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.