Hartwell, GA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Hartwell garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 20
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 15
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
240 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 1 Mar 20 Apr 6
First fall frost Dec 5 Nov 15 Nov 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 7 · first Dec 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the HARTWELL station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Hartwell

Computed from Hartwell's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 23 – Feb 6 Mar 27 – Apr 3
🫑 Peppers Jan 9 – Jan 23 Apr 3 – Apr 10
🥬 Lettuce Feb 6 – Feb 20 Feb 20 – Mar 6 Feb 20 – Mar 20
🫛 Peas Feb 6 – Feb 20
🥕 Carrots Feb 27 – Mar 20
🥦 Broccoli Jan 30 – Feb 13 Feb 27 – Mar 13
🥬 Kale Feb 6 – Feb 20 Feb 20 – Mar 6 Feb 20 – Mar 6
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 20 – Feb 27 Mar 27 – Apr 3 Mar 27 – Apr 3
🥒 Zucchini Feb 20 – Feb 27 Mar 27 – Apr 3 Mar 27 – Apr 3
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 27 – Apr 3
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 27 – Apr 3
🌿 Basil Feb 6 – Feb 20 Mar 27 – Apr 3 Apr 3 – Apr 10
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 4 – Nov 1

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Hartwell's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Hartwell

With roughly 240 frost-free days, Hartwell gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 15 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Hartwell, GA?

The average last spring frost in Hartwell is around Mar 20, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Hartwell, GA?

The average first fall frost in Hartwell arrives around Nov 15. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Hartwell?

About 240 frost-free days on average, from Mar 20 to Nov 15. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Hartwell in?

USDA zone 8a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.