Frost dates for 31995Fort Benning, GA
The average last spring frost in Fort Benning is March 5 and the average first fall frost is November 23, giving a typical growing season of about 265 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 23
- Growing season
- 265 days
Safer after Mar 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 7 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 20 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 1 · Mar 20 · Apr 7 | Oct 31 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 236 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 11 · Mar 5 · Mar 24 | Nov 7 · Nov 23 · Dec 18 | 265 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 25 · Feb 21 · Mar 14 | Nov 19 · Dec 12 · Jan 13 | 298 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Fort Benning
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 2 – Apr 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – May 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 13 – Dec 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 31995 is matched to the NOAA station Columbus Metro Ap, GA, 3 km away, at 392 ft elevation (41 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Metro Ap, GA (used) | 392 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 23 |
| Columbus #2, GA | 435 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 11 |
| Mulberry Grove, GA | 501 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 18 |
| Ft Benning Lawson Fld, GA | 289 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Fort Benning
- Columbus, GA 31993 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Phenix City, AL 36867 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Fort Benning, GA 31905 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Midland, GA 31820 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Smiths Station, AL 36877 · last Mar 21, first Nov 18
- Cataula, GA 31804 · last Mar 21, first Nov 18
- Fortson, GA 31808 · last Mar 21, first Nov 18
- Upatoi, GA 31829 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Benning, GA?
- For ZIP code 31995, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Columbus Metro Ap, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 24.
- When is the first frost in Fort Benning, GA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 31995?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 265 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.