Frost dates for 31085Shady Dale, GA
The average last spring frost in Shady Dale is April 4 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 211 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 211 days
Safer after Apr 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 152 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 31 · Apr 17 · May 2 | Oct 12 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 190 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 4 · Apr 20 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 211 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 24 · Apr 7 | Oct 30 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 234 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shady Dale
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 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 31085 is matched to the NOAA station Monticello, GA, 13.1 km away, at 518 ft elevation (92 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monticello, GA (used) | 518 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 1 |
| Covington, GA | 769 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 14 |
| Mcdonough 5 Ene, GA | 708 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
| Watkinsville 5 Sse, GA | 741 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Shady Dale
- Newborn, GA 30056 · last Mar 22, first Nov 14
- Mansfield, GA 30055 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Monticello, GA 31064 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Rutledge, GA 30663 · last Mar 22, first Nov 14
- Covington, GA 30014 · last Mar 22, first Nov 14
- Madison, GA 30650 · last Mar 24, first Nov 12
- Eatonton, GA 31026 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Social Circle, GA 30025 · last Mar 22, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shady Dale, GA?
- For ZIP code 31085, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Monticello, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 20.
- When is the first frost in Shady Dale, GA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 31085?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 211 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.