Frost dates for 30523Clarkesville, GA
The average last spring frost in Clarkesville is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 198 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 198 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 159 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) | Apr 8 · Apr 25 · May 11 | Oct 7 · Oct 17 · Oct 31 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 11 · May 1 | Oct 14 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 198 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 29 · Apr 16 | Oct 23 · Nov 5 · Nov 26 | 222 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Clarkesville
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 | Mar 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 30523 is matched to the NOAA station Clarkesville, GA, 3.7 km away, at 1,370 ft elevation (47 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarkesville, GA (used) | 1,370 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
| Cornelia, GA | 1,470 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 6 |
| Toccoa, GA | 1,012 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 11 |
| Sautee 3W, GA | 1,591 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Clarkesville
- Demorest, GA 30535 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Turnerville, GA 30580 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Mount Airy, GA 30563 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Cornelia, GA 30531 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Tallulah Falls, GA 30573 · last Apr 9, first Oct 29
- Toccoa Falls, GA 30598 · last Mar 23, first Nov 11
- Lakemont, GA 30552 · last Apr 9, first Oct 29
- Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Clarkesville, GA?
- For ZIP code 30523, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clarkesville, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Clarkesville, GA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 30523?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 198 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.