Frost dates for 30253Mcdonough, GA
The average last spring frost in Mcdonough is March 25 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 235 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 25
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 235 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 6 · Apr 21 | Oct 22 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 211 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 25 · Apr 10 | Oct 31 · Nov 12 · Dec 2 | 235 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 8 · Mar 29 | Nov 8 · Nov 28 · Dec 22 | 265 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mcdonough
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Apr 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – May 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Mar 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 30253 is matched to the NOAA station Jonesboro, GA, 20.6 km away, at 930 ft elevation (139 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro, GA (used) | 930 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 12 |
| Mcdonough 5 Ene, GA | 708 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
| Experiment, GA | 934 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 13 |
| Covington, GA | 769 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Mcdonough
- Mcdonough, GA 30252 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Locust Grove, GA 30248 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Hampton, GA 30228 · last Mar 25, first Nov 12
- Stockbridge, GA 30281 · last Mar 25, first Nov 12
- Lovejoy, GA 30250 · last Mar 25, first Nov 12
- Sunny Side, GA 30284 · last Mar 25, first Nov 12
- Rex, GA 30273 · last Mar 25, first Nov 12
- Jenkinsburg, GA 30234 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mcdonough, GA?
- For ZIP code 30253, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Jonesboro, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Mcdonough, GA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 30253?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 235 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.