Frost dates for 31146Atlanta, GA
The average last spring frost in Atlanta is March 25 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 228 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 25
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 228 days
Safer after Apr 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 12 | 205 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 25 · Apr 12 | Oct 26 · Nov 9 · Nov 27 | 228 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 12 · Mar 31 | Nov 4 · Nov 22 · Dec 14 | 256 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 22 – Apr 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – May 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Mar 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 31146 is matched to the NOAA station Atlanta Peachtree Ap, GA, 21.1 km away, at 1,002 ft elevation (126 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Peachtree Ap, GA (used) | 1,002 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 9 |
| Winder 4S, GA | 889 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 7 |
| Cumming 2N, GA | 1,140 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 4 |
| Covington, GA | 769 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Atlanta
- Stone Mountain, GA 30086 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Atlanta, GA 30333 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Lilburn, GA 30047 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Lawrenceville, GA 30042 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Snellville, GA 30078 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Duluth, GA 30099 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Norcross, GA 30003 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Buford, GA 30515 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Atlanta, GA?
- For ZIP code 31146, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Atlanta Peachtree Ap, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 12.
- When is the first frost in Atlanta, GA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 31146?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 228 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.