Frost dates for 39824Bluffton, GA
The average last spring frost in Bluffton is March 21 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 236 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 21
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 236 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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 16 · Apr 3 · Apr 18 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 214 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 21 · Apr 7 | Oct 30 · Nov 13 · Dec 3 | 236 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 9 · Mar 28 | Nov 5 · Nov 27 · Dec 21 | 262 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bluffton
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 18 – Apr 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – May 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39824 is matched to the NOAA station Cuthbert, GA, 28.4 km away, at 461 ft elevation (139 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuthbert, GA (used) | 461 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 13 |
| Ft Gaines 2, GA | 210 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 21 |
| Newton 8 W, GA | 176 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 13 |
| Georgetown 4 E, GA | 490 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 18 |
Frost dates near Bluffton
- Edison, GA 39846 · last Mar 21, first Nov 13
- Arlington, GA 39813 · last Mar 11, first Nov 13
- Blakely, GA 39823 · last Mar 13, first Nov 21
- Coleman, GA 39836 · last Mar 21, first Nov 13
- Fort Gaines, GA 39851 · last Mar 13, first Nov 21
- Shorterville, AL 36373 · last Mar 13, first Nov 21
- Morgan, GA 39866 · last Mar 11, first Nov 13
- Damascus, GA 39841 · last Mar 11, first Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bluffton, GA?
- For ZIP code 39824, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cuthbert, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Bluffton, GA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39824?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 236 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.