Frost dates for 30385Atlanta, GA
The average last spring frost in Atlanta is March 24 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 231 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 231 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 21 · Apr 7 · Apr 22 | Oct 17 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 206 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 24 · Apr 10 | Oct 27 · Nov 8 · Nov 26 | 231 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 9 · Mar 27 | Nov 4 · Nov 20 · Dec 14 | 259 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 21 – Apr 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – May 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Mar 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 30385 is matched to the NOAA station Atlanta Fulton Co Ap, GA, 8.5 km away, at 840 ft elevation (26 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Fulton Co Ap, GA (used) | 840 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 8 |
| Mableton 1 N, GA | 980 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 7 |
| Atlanta Peachtree Ap, GA | 1,002 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 9 |
| Atlanta Hartsfield Intl Ap, GA | 1,010 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near Atlanta
- Atlanta, GA 30301 · last Mar 24, first Nov 8
- Smyrna, GA 30080 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Marietta, GA 30067 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Clarkdale, GA 30111 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Mableton, GA 30126 · last Mar 24, first Nov 8
- Austell, GA 30168 · last Mar 24, first Nov 8
- Decatur, GA 30033 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Lithia Springs, GA 30122 · last Mar 24, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Atlanta, GA?
- For ZIP code 30385, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Atlanta Fulton Co Ap, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Atlanta, GA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 30385?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 231 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.