Frost dates for 31794Tifton, GA
The average last spring frost in Tifton is March 11 and the average first fall frost is November 19, giving a typical growing season of about 254 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 11
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 19
- Growing season
- 254 days
Safer after Mar 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 16 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 5 · Mar 23 · Apr 10 | Oct 22 · Nov 7 · Nov 26 | 229 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 11 · Mar 29 | Nov 1 · Nov 19 · Dec 14 | 254 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 26 · Feb 26 · Mar 16 | Nov 12 · Dec 8 · Jan 8 | 288 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tifton
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 8 – Apr 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Jul 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – May 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Jul 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 9 – Dec 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 31794 is matched to the NOAA station Tifton, GA, 3 km away, at 380 ft elevation (45 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tifton, GA (used) | 380 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 19 |
| Ashburn 3 Ene, GA | 435 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 20 |
| Fitzgerald, GA | 370 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 25 |
| Moultrie 2 Ese, GA | 340 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near Tifton
- Brookfield, GA 31727 · last Mar 11, first Nov 19
- Tifton, GA 31793 · last Mar 11, first Nov 19
- Chula, GA 31733 · last Mar 11, first Nov 19
- Ty Ty, GA 31795 · last Mar 11, first Nov 19
- Enigma, GA 31749 · last Mar 11, first Nov 19
- Omega, GA 31775 · last Mar 11, first Nov 19
- Lenox, GA 31637 · last Mar 11, first Nov 19
- Sumner, GA 31789 · last Mar 11, first Nov 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tifton, GA?
- For ZIP code 31794, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tifton, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 29.
- When is the first frost in Tifton, GA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 19. 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 31794?
- 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.