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Frost dates and planting calendar for Atlanta, Georgia

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on USDA, NOAA and Colorado State University Extension data. Published by Humblebee.

USDA hardiness zone
8a[1]
Median last spring frost
Mar 15[2]
Median first fall frost
Nov 20[3]
Growing season, median
252 days[4]

Atlanta sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a[1]. At the nearby NOAA station, half of years see the last spring frost after March 15[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast spring frost: 9 in 10 years after Feb 23, half of years Mar 15, 1 in 10 years after Apr 4Last frostmedian Mar 15First fall frost: 9 in 10 years before Dec 10, half of years Nov 20, 1 in 10 years before Nov 4First frostmedian Nov 20Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Mar 1 to Mar 15Mar 1 to Mar 15TenderTender vegetables: plant around Mar 15around Mar 15Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from Mar 29from Mar 29
Shaded: the span between the dates frost passes in 9 of 10 years and 1 of 10 years[2][3]. Green: planting windows from the CSU rules applied to the median last frost (GardenFacts calculation)[6]. Exact dates are in the tables below.

These frost dates come from NOAA records for the weather station at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport[5]. They are odds from 1991 to 2020, not a forecast. In 9 of 10 years the last spring frost came after February 23, and in 1 of 10 years it came after April 4[2]. In the fall, 1 of 10 years had a first frost before November 4, and the median first frost is November 20[3]. Any single year can land earlier or later than these dates.

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after February 23 after March 15 after April 4
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before November 4 before November 20 before December 10
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date February 28, median first fall date December 5[7].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 226 days in 9 of 10 years, 252 days in half of years and 281 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
  • The low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years and 28°F or colder in 99.8% of years[8].
  • Weather station: Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (USW00013874), 9.2 miles from the city center, 1,010 feet, 29 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].

When to plant vegetables

Colorado State University Extension sorts vegetables into four groups by how much cold they handle, and its guide was written for Colorado. Hardy crops like peas, lettuce and spinach can go in weeks before the average last frost[9]. Using Atlanta's median of March 15, that window runs from February 15 to March 1[6]. Semi-hardy crops like carrots and beets fit from March 1 up to March 15[10][11]. Tender crops like snap beans and sweet corn go in from seed around March 15[12][13]. Very tender crops like tomatoes and peppers typically wait 2 or more weeks after the median[14], which puts them from March 29 on[15].

  • Hardy: 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (March 15) is February 15 to March 1[6][9]
  • Semi-hardy: 2 weeks before the median last frost (March 15) is March 1, up to the median date itself[10][11]
  • Tender: around the median last frost date, March 15[12][13]
  • Very tender: two weeks after the median last frost (March 15) is March 29[15][14]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[16] Feb 15 Apr 21 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[16] Feb 15 May 11 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[16] Feb 15 Apr 6
Lettuce (hardy)[16] Feb 15 Apr 16
Onions (hardy)[16] Feb 15 Jun 5
Peas (hardy)[16] Feb 15 Apr 21
Radishes (hardy)[16] Feb 15 Mar 17
Spinach (hardy)[16] Feb 15 Mar 27
Turnips (hardy)[16] Feb 15 Apr 6
Beets (semi-hardy)[16] Mar 1 Apr 30
Carrots (semi-hardy)[16] Mar 1 May 10
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[16] Mar 1 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[16] Mar 1 May 10
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[16] Mar 1 Jul 4
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[16] Mar 1 Apr 30
Snap beans (tender)[16] Mar 15 May 14
Sweet corn (tender)[16] Mar 15 May 14
Cucumbers (tender)[16] Mar 15 May 9
Summer squash (tender)[16] Mar 15 May 4
Cantaloupe (very tender)[16] Mar 29 Jun 22
Eggplant (very tender)[16] Mar 29 May 28 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[16] Mar 29 Jun 7 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[16] Mar 29 Jun 2 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[16] Mar 29 Jul 7
Watermelon (very tender)[16] Mar 29 Jun 22
Spacing, depth and soil temperature (CSU Extension)
Vegetable Min. soil temp Depth Spacing Days to harvest
Broccoli[17] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 65
Cabbage[17] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 85
Kohlrabi[17] 40°F 1/2 in 7-9 in 50
Lettuce[17] 35°F 1/4 in 7-9 in 60
Onions[17] 35°F 1/4 in (seed), 1-2 in (sets) 4-6 in 110
Peas[17] 40°F 1 in 4-6 in 65
Radishes[17] 40°F 1/2 in 2-3 in 30
Spinach[17] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 40
Turnips[17] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 50
Beets[17] 40°F 3/4-1 in 4-6 in 60
Carrots[17] 40°F 1/4 in 2-3 in 70
Cauliflower[17] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in –
Parsnips[17] 35°F 1/2 in 5-6 in 70
Potatoes[17] 45°F – – 125
Swiss chard[17] 40°F 1 in 7-9 in 60
Snap beans[17] 55°F 1-1 1/2 in 6 in 60
Sweet corn[17] 50°F 1-1 1/2 in 12 x 30 in or 9 x 36 in 60-90
Cucumbers[17] 60°F 1 in 6 in trellised, 24-36 in untrellised 55
Summer squash[17] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 50
Cantaloupe[17] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85
Eggplant[17] 60°F 1/4 in 18-24 in 60
Peppers[17] 60°F 1/4 in 15-18 in 70
Tomatoes[17] 50°F 1/4 in 24 in trellised 65
Winter squash[17] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 100
Watermelon[17] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85

Hardiness zone

Zone 8a means the coldest winter night averaged 10°F to 15°F over 1991 to 2020 on the USDA map[1]. The zone is about winter cold only. It does not tell you frost dates or summer heat[18]. All of the land in Atlanta's 29 ZIP code areas falls in zone 8a[19].

Zone 8a: average annual extreme minimum temperature 10°F to 15°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: 14.4°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 8a 100%[19].

All towns in zone 8a and what zone 8a means

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
30318[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30331[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30311[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30315[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30327[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30310[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30354[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30305[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30314[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30342[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30324[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30316[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30306[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30312[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30309[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30317[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30307[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30308[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30313[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30319[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30303[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30326[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30329[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30322[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30363[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30033[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30344[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30032[19] 8a 10 to 15°F
30336[19] 8a 10 to 15°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is Atlanta, Georgia?
The 2023 USDA map places the center of Atlanta in zone 8a[1]. By land area, all 29 ZIP code areas in the city are zone 8a[19].
When is the last frost in Atlanta?
At the Hartsfield airport station, the median last spring frost is March 15[2]. In 1 of 10 years it came after April 4[2].
When to plant tomatoes in Atlanta?
CSU Extension's guide sets tomatoes typically 2 or more weeks after the average last frost[14]. Using Atlanta's median, that works out to March 29 or later[15][14].
When is the first frost in Atlanta?
The median first fall frost is November 20[3]. In 1 of 10 years it came before November 4[3].
How long is the growing season in Atlanta?
In half of years the season between the last and first 32°F frost lasted at least 252 days[4]. In 9 of 10 years it lasted at least 226 days[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Atlanta, Georgia in zone 8a. Zone 8a means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 10°F to 15°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is 14.4°F. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
  2. Last spring frost (32°F) at this station: in 9 of 10 years the last frost comes after February 23, in half of years after March 15, and in 1 of 10 years after April 4 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is March 15. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  3. First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before November 4, in half of years before November 20, and in 9 of 10 years before December 10 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is November 20. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 226 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 252 days in half of years, and at least 281 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport weather station (USW00013874), 9.2 miles from the center of Atlanta at 1,010 feet, using 29 years of records from 1991 to 2020. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  6. GardenFacts calculation for Atlanta: taking the NOAA median (50%) last frost date as the average last frost and applying the CSU rule for hardy vegetables, 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (March 15) is February 15 to March 1. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  7. Hard freeze (28°F) at this station: the median last spring date is February 28 and the median first fall date is December 5. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  8. At this station the low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years from 1991 to 2020, and 28°F or colder in 99.8% of years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  9. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide groups broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips as hardy vegetables. Its rule for planting them: as early as 2-4 weeks before the average last spring frost. CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  10. GardenFacts calculation for Atlanta: taking the NOAA median (50%) last frost date as the average last frost and applying the CSU rule for semi-hardy vegetables, 2 weeks before the median last frost (March 15) is March 1, up to the median date itself. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  11. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide groups beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard as semi-hardy vegetables. Its rule for planting them: as early as 0-2 weeks before the average last spring frost. CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  12. GardenFacts calculation for Atlanta: taking the NOAA median (50%) last frost date as the average last frost and applying the CSU rule for tender vegetables, around the median last frost date, March 15. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  13. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide groups snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash as tender vegetables. Its rule for planting them: from seed around the average last spring frost; cucumber and summer squash transplants... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  14. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide groups cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon as very tender vegetables. Its rule for planting them: typically 2 or more weeks after the average last spring frost. CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  15. GardenFacts calculation for Atlanta: taking the NOAA median (50%) last frost date as the average last frost and applying the CSU rule for very tender vegetables, two weeks after the median last frost (March 15) is March 29. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  16. GardenFacts calculation: earliest planting date plus CSU days to harvest (table on this page), from the station's median last frost. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  17. CSU Extension vegetable table: soil temperature, depth, spacing, days to harvest (table on this page). CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  18. USDA hardiness zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature (the coldest night of each winter, averaged over 1991 to 2020 for the 2023 map), not on summer heat or frost dates. Each zone spans 10°F and each half zone (a or b)... USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
  19. Atlanta, Georgia overlaps 29 ZIP code areas. By land area, 100% in zone 8a. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)

Frost dates are probabilities from 1991 to 2020 weather records at one NOAA station, not a forecast. Any year can be earlier or later. The hardiness zone describes the average coldest winter night, not frost dates or summer heat. Spots inside the city can differ (ZIP table). Planting rules come from Colorado State University Extension's guide, written for Colorado. A local extension office may give dates tuned to the area. Planting and harvest dates marked GardenFacts calculation are simple arithmetic from the facts above, not advice from the source.

Hardiness zone data: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed October 30, 2026. This is not the official USDA map. Frost data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension.