Frost dates for 31709Americus, GA
The average last spring frost in Americus is March 20 and the average first fall frost is November 14, giving a typical growing season of about 238 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 20
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 14
- Growing season
- 238 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 11 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 15 · Apr 2 · Apr 21 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 18 | 215 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 20 · Apr 7 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Dec 3 | 238 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 3 · Mar 4 · Mar 24 | Nov 7 · Nov 28 · Dec 25 | 269 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Americus
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 17 – Apr 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – May 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Mar 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 4 – Dec 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 31709 is matched to the NOAA station Americus, GA, 3.1 km away, at 397 ft elevation (39 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Americus, GA (used) | 397 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 14 |
| Plains Sw Ga Exp Stn, GA | 500 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 17 |
| Leesburg 2, GA | 260 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 19 |
| Crisp Co Pwr Dam, GA | 245 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near Americus
- Americus, GA 31719 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Plains, GA 31780 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Andersonville, GA 31711 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Leslie, GA 31764 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Smithville, GA 31787 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- De Soto, GA 31743 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Ellaville, GA 31806 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Cobb, GA 31735 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Americus, GA?
- For ZIP code 31709, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Americus, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Americus, GA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 31709?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 238 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.