Frost dates for 30344Atlanta, GA
The average last spring frost in Atlanta is March 15 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 252 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 15
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 252 days
Safer after Apr 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 4 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 17 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 10 · Mar 29 · Apr 16 | Oct 28 · Nov 7 · Nov 25 | 226 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 15 · Apr 4 | Nov 4 · Nov 20 · Dec 10 | 252 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 1 · Feb 28 · Mar 20 | Nov 14 · Dec 5 · Jan 3 | 281 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Atlanta
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 12 – Apr 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Apr 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Jan 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 30344 is matched to the NOAA station Atlanta Hartsfield Intl Ap, GA, 6.9 km away, at 1,010 ft elevation (4 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hartsfield Intl Ap, GA (used) | 1,010 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 20 |
| Atlanta Fulton Co Ap, GA | 840 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 8 |
| Jonesboro, GA | 930 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 12 |
| Mableton 1 N, GA | 980 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near Atlanta
- Atlanta, GA 30311 · last Mar 15, first Nov 20
- Red Oak, GA 30272 · last Mar 15, first Nov 20
- Forest Park, GA 30297 · last Mar 15, first Nov 20
- Conley, GA 30288 · last Mar 25, first Nov 12
- Riverdale, GA 30296 · last Mar 25, first Nov 12
- Union City, GA 30291 · last Mar 15, first Nov 20
- Morrow, GA 30260 · last Mar 25, first Nov 12
- Ellenwood, GA 30294 · last Mar 25, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Atlanta, GA?
- For ZIP code 30344, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Atlanta Hartsfield Intl Ap, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 4.
- When is the first frost in Atlanta, GA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 30344?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 252 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.