Frost dates for 30605Athens, GA
The average last spring frost in Athens is March 23 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 232 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 23
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 232 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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 18 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 19 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 209 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 23 · Apr 10 | Oct 28 · Nov 10 · Nov 27 | 232 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 13 · Mar 9 · Mar 27 | Nov 7 · Nov 25 · Dec 19 | 264 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Athens
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 20 – Apr 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – May 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Mar 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 30605 is matched to the NOAA station Athens Ben Epps Ap, GA, 2.9 km away, at 785 ft elevation (195 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens Ben Epps Ap, GA (used) | 785 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 10 |
| Winterville, GA | 890 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 2 |
| Watkinsville 5 Sse, GA | 741 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 12 |
| U Of Ga Plt Sci, GA | 840 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Athens
- Athens, GA 30602 · last Mar 23, first Nov 10
- Winterville, GA 30683 · last Mar 23, first Nov 10
- Watkinsville, GA 30677 · last Mar 24, first Nov 12
- Arnoldsville, GA 30619 · last Mar 23, first Nov 10
- Hull, GA 30646 · last Mar 29, first Nov 7
- Bogart, GA 30622 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Colbert, GA 30628 · last Mar 29, first Nov 7
- Crawford, GA 30630 · last Mar 23, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Athens, GA?
- For ZIP code 30605, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Athens Ben Epps Ap, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Athens, GA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 30605?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 232 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.