Frost dates for 31503Waycross, GA
The average last spring frost in Waycross is March 15 and the average first fall frost is November 17, giving a typical growing season of about 246 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 15
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 17
- Growing season
- 246 days
Safer after Apr 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 14 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 8 · Mar 31 · Apr 17 | Oct 23 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 224 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 15 · Apr 3 | Oct 31 · Nov 17 · Dec 6 | 246 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 31 · Mar 1 · Mar 23 | Nov 10 · Dec 1 · Dec 31 | 277 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Waycross
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 12 – Apr 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Apr 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Jan 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 7 – Dec 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 31503 is matched to the NOAA station Waycross 4 Ne, GA, 5.8 km away, at 145 ft elevation (14 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waycross 4 Ne, GA (used) | 145 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 17 |
| Alma Bacon Co Ap, GA | 193 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 20 |
| Nahunta 6Ne, GA | 68 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 15 |
| Fargo 17 Ne, GA | 124 ft | Feb 19 | Dec 5 |
Frost dates near Waycross
- Waycross, GA 31502 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Waresboro, GA 31564 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Blackshear, GA 31516 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Hoboken, GA 31542 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Manor, GA 31550 · last Mar 11, first Nov 17
- Millwood, GA 31552 · last Mar 11, first Nov 17
- Patterson, GA 31557 · last Mar 25, first Nov 15
- Argyle, GA 31623 · last Mar 11, first Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waycross, GA?
- For ZIP code 31503, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Waycross 4 Ne, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 3.
- When is the first frost in Waycross, GA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 31503?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 246 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.