Frost dates for 30602 — Athens, GA
Last spring frostMar 23median date
First fall frostNov 10median date
Growing season232 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Athens compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Athens falls between March 2 and April 10, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 28 and November 27.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Georgia median of Mar 21.
- Its 232-day growing season is longer than 43% of the 618 Georgia places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 7 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 46 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Atlanta, GA, 94 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 3 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 2 |
| 50% (median) | March 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 28 |
| 50% (median) | November 10 |
| 90% (late) | November 27 |
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 Athens, GA
Frost dates for 30602 — Athens, GA — last frost Mar 23, first frost Nov 10, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Plant for fall: Oct 27 to Dec 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Athens, GA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Feb 23 – Mar 30 | Sep 15 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Okra | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Basil | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 30 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 27 – Dec 1 |
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 Athens Ben Epps Ap, GA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 784 ft (239 m)).
ZIP codes in Athens: 30601 30602 30603 30604 30605 30606 30607 30608 30609 30612
Frost dates near Athens
- Winterville Apr 2 · Nov 2
- Watkinsville Mar 24 · Nov 12
- Bogart Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Hull Mar 29 · Nov 7
- Arnoldsville Apr 2 · Nov 2
- Colbert Apr 2 · Nov 2
- Nicholson Mar 29 · Nov 7
- Bishop Mar 24 · Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Athens, GA?
The median last spring frost in Athens, GA is March 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Athens, GA?
The median first fall frost is November 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 28.
How long is the growing season in Athens, GA?
About 232 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Athens, GA?
Athens, GA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.