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Frost dates and planting calendar for Marietta, 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
Apr 2[2]
Median first fall frost
Nov 4[3]
Growing season, median
218 days[4]

Marietta, Georgia is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map[1]. The median last spring frost is April 2, which means a last frost after that date in half of years[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast spring frost: 9 in 10 years after Mar 15, half of years Apr 2, 1 in 10 years after Apr 19Last frostmedian Apr 2First fall frost: 9 in 10 years before Nov 20, half of years Nov 4, 1 in 10 years before Oct 23First frostmedian Nov 4Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Mar 5 to Mar 19Mar 5 to Mar 19Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Mar 19 to Apr 2Mar 19 to Apr 2TenderTender vegetables: plant around Apr 2around Apr 2Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from Apr 16from Apr 16
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 are odds from NOAA records for 1991 to 2020, not a forecast[5]. In 9 of 10 years the last spring frost comes after March 15, and in 1 of 10 years it comes after April 19[2]. In the fall, the first frost comes before October 23 in 1 of 10 years and before November 20 in 9 of 10 years[3]. The median first fall frost is November 4[3]. The numbers come from the Dallas 7NE weather station near Marietta[5]. Any year can be earlier or later.

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after March 15 after April 2 after April 19
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before October 23 before November 4 before November 20
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date March 19, median first fall date November 17[7].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 196 days in 9 of 10 years, 218 days in half of years and 244 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
  • The low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years and 28°F or colder in 100% of years[8].
  • Weather station: Dallas 7NE (USC00092485), 12.3 miles from the city center, 1,028 feet, 30 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].

When to plant vegetables

Colorado State University Extension's planting guide was written for Colorado, so the groups are a starting point here[6]. Hardy vegetables such as broccoli, lettuce and spinach can go in as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost, which is March 5 to March 19 by GardenFacts calculation[6]. Tender vegetables such as snap beans and sweet corn are planted from seed around the median last frost date, April 2[9]. Very tender vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers typically wait 2 or more weeks after it, and the earliest start is April 16[10]. Tender and very tender vegetables do not tolerate frost, and the median first fall frost is November 4[11].

  • Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (April 2) is March 5 to March 19[6]
  • Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (April 2) is March 19, up to the median date itself[12]
  • Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, April 2[9]
  • Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (April 2), is April 16[10]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[13] Mar 5 May 9 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[13] Mar 5 May 29 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[13] Mar 5 Apr 24
Lettuce (hardy)[13] Mar 5 May 4
Onions (hardy)[13] Mar 5 Jun 23
Peas (hardy)[13] Mar 5 May 9
Radishes (hardy)[13] Mar 5 Apr 4
Spinach (hardy)[13] Mar 5 Apr 14
Turnips (hardy)[13] Mar 5 Apr 24
Beets (semi-hardy)[13] Mar 19 May 18
Carrots (semi-hardy)[13] Mar 19 May 28
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[13] Mar 19 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[13] Mar 19 May 28
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[13] Mar 19 Jul 22
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[13] Mar 19 May 18
Snap beans (tender)[13] Apr 2 Jun 1
Sweet corn (tender)[13] Apr 2 Jun 1
Cucumbers (tender)[13] Apr 2 May 27
Summer squash (tender)[13] Apr 2 May 22
Cantaloupe (very tender)[13] Apr 16 Jul 10
Eggplant (very tender)[13] Apr 16 Jun 15 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[13] Apr 16 Jun 25 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[13] Apr 16 Jun 20 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[13] Apr 16 Jul 25
Watermelon (very tender)[13] Apr 16 Jul 10
Spacing, depth and soil temperature (CSU Extension)
Vegetable Min. soil temp Depth Spacing Days to harvest
Broccoli[14] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 65
Cabbage[14] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 85
Kohlrabi[14] 40°F 1/2 in 7-9 in 50
Lettuce[14] 35°F 1/4 in 7-9 in 60
Onions[14] 35°F 1/4 in (seed), 1-2 in (sets) 4-6 in 110
Peas[14] 40°F 1 in 4-6 in 65
Radishes[14] 40°F 1/2 in 2-3 in 30
Spinach[14] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 40
Turnips[14] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 50
Beets[14] 40°F 3/4-1 in 4-6 in 60
Carrots[14] 40°F 1/4 in 2-3 in 70
Cauliflower[14] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in –
Parsnips[14] 35°F 1/2 in 5-6 in 70
Potatoes[14] 45°F – – 125
Swiss chard[14] 40°F 1 in 7-9 in 60
Snap beans[14] 55°F 1-1 1/2 in 6 in 60
Sweet corn[14] 50°F 1-1 1/2 in 12 x 30 in or 9 x 36 in 60-90
Cucumbers[14] 60°F 1 in 6 in trellised, 24-36 in untrellised 55
Summer squash[14] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 50
Cantaloupe[14] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85
Eggplant[14] 60°F 1/4 in 18-24 in 60
Peppers[14] 60°F 1/4 in 15-18 in 70
Tomatoes[14] 50°F 1/4 in 24 in trellised 65
Winter squash[14] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 100
Watermelon[14] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85

Hardiness zone

Zone 8a means an average coldest night of the year between 10°F and 15°F over 1991 to 2020[1]. The zone is based on winter lows, not on summer heat or frost dates[15]. All of Marietta's land area lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8a[16].

Zone 8a: average annual extreme minimum temperature 10°F to 15°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: 13.1°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 8a 100%[16].

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

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
30064[16] 8a 10 to 15°F
30060[16] 8a 10 to 15°F
30062[16] 8a 10 to 15°F
30067[16] 8a 10 to 15°F
30066[16] 8a 10 to 15°F
30008[16] 8a 10 to 15°F
30152[16] 8a 10 to 15°F
30068[16] 8a 10 to 15°F
30080[16] 8a 10 to 15°F
30144[16] 8a 10 to 15°F
30090[16] 8a 10 to 15°F
30339[16] 8a 10 to 15°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is Marietta, Georgia?
Marietta is in USDA zone 8a on the 2023 map[1]. By land area, 100% of the city is in ZIP code areas rated 8a[16].
When is the last frost in Marietta?
The median last spring frost is April 2, so in half of years the last frost comes after that date[2]. In 1 of 10 years it comes after April 19[2].
When to plant tomatoes in Marietta?
CSU Extension says very tender vegetables like tomatoes typically go in 2 or more weeks after the average last frost, and the earliest start is April 16 by GardenFacts calculation[10]. CSU's guide was written for Colorado[10].
When is the first frost in Marietta?
The median first fall frost is November 4[3]. In 1 of 10 years it comes before October 23[3].
How long is the growing season in Marietta?
The growing season is at least 218 days in half of years[4]. It is at least 196 days in 9 of 10 years[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Marietta, 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 13.1°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 March 15, in half of years after April 2, and in 1 of 10 years after April 19 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is April 2. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  3. First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before October 23, in half of years before November 4, and in 9 of 10 years before November 20 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is November 4. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 196 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 218 days in half of years, and at least 244 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Dallas 7NE weather station (USC00092485), 12.3 miles from the center of Marietta at 1,028 feet, using 30 years of records from 1991 to 2020. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  6. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips as hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 2-4 weeks before the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  7. Hard freeze (28°F) at this station: the median last spring date is March 19 and the median first fall date is November 17. 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 100% of years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  9. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash as tender vegetables, with this rule: from seed around the average last spring frost; cucumber and summer squash... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  10. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon as very tender vegetables, with this rule: typically 2 or more weeks after the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  11. Tender and very tender vegetables do not tolerate frost (CSU Extension). In Marietta the median first fall frost is November 4. CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  12. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard as semi-hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 0-2 weeks before the average last spring frost.... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  13. 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
  14. CSU Extension vegetable table: soil temperature, depth, spacing, days to harvest (table on this page). CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  15. 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
  16. Marietta, Georgia overlaps 12 ZIP code areas. By land area, 100% lies in ZIP code areas rated 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.