Frost dates for 31739Cotton, GA
The average last spring frost in Cotton is March 10 and the average first fall frost is November 18, giving a typical growing season of about 254 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 10
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 18
- Growing season
- 254 days
Safer after Mar 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 15 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 3 · Mar 23 · Apr 9 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 25 | 229 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 10 · Mar 28 | Nov 1 · Nov 18 · Dec 8 | 254 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 29 · Feb 25 · Mar 18 | Nov 10 · Dec 1 · Jan 4 | 282 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cotton
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 7 – Apr 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 26 – Jul 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Mar 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – May 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Jul 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Apr 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Apr 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 27 – Jan 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Apr 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 8 – Dec 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 31739 is matched to the NOAA station Camilla 3 Se, GA, 13.4 km away, at 175 ft elevation (153 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camilla 3 Se, GA (used) | 175 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 18 |
| Moultrie 2 Ese, GA | 340 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 27 |
| Cairo 1Sw, GA | 201 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 21 |
| Newton 11 Sw, GA | 156 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 19 |
Frost dates near Cotton
- Pelham, GA 31779 · last Mar 10, first Nov 18
- Hartsfield, GA 31756 · last Mar 6, first Nov 27
- Meigs, GA 31765 · last Mar 10, first Nov 18
- Sale City, GA 31784 · last Mar 10, first Nov 18
- Camilla, GA 31730 · last Mar 10, first Nov 18
- Funston, GA 31753 · last Mar 6, first Nov 27
- Ochlocknee, GA 31773 · last Mar 11, first Nov 21
- Doerun, GA 31744 · last Mar 6, first Nov 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cotton, GA?
- For ZIP code 31739, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Camilla 3 Se, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 28.
- When is the first frost in Cotton, GA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 18. 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 31739?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 254 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.