Plains SW Ga Exp Stn, GA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Plains SW Ga Exp Stn garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 15
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 17
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
247 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 22 Mar 15 Apr 2
First fall frost Dec 9 Nov 17 Nov 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 28 · first Dec 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the PLAINS SW GA EXP STN 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 Plains SW Ga Exp Stn

Computed from Plains SW Ga Exp Stn'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 18 – Feb 1 Mar 22 – Mar 29
🫑 Peppers Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 29 – Apr 5
🥬 Lettuce Feb 1 – Feb 15 Feb 15 – Mar 1 Feb 15 – Mar 15
🫛 Peas Feb 1 – Feb 15
🥕 Carrots Feb 22 – Mar 15
🥦 Broccoli Jan 25 – Feb 8 Feb 22 – Mar 8
🥬 Kale Feb 1 – Feb 15 Feb 15 – Mar 1 Feb 15 – Mar 1
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 15 – Feb 22 Mar 22 – Mar 29 Mar 22 – Mar 29
🥒 Zucchini Feb 15 – Feb 22 Mar 22 – Mar 29 Mar 22 – Mar 29
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 22 – Mar 29
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 22 – Mar 29
🌿 Basil Feb 1 – Feb 15 Mar 22 – Mar 29 Mar 29 – Apr 5
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 6 – Nov 3

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 Plains SW Ga Exp Stn's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Plains SW Ga Exp Stn

With roughly 247 frost-free days, Plains SW Ga Exp Stn 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 17 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Plains SW Ga Exp Stn, GA?

The average last spring frost in Plains SW Ga Exp Stn is around Mar 15, 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 Plains SW Ga Exp Stn, GA?

The average first fall frost in Plains SW Ga Exp Stn arrives around Nov 17. 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 Plains SW Ga Exp Stn?

About 247 frost-free days on average, from Mar 15 to Nov 17. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Plains SW Ga Exp Stn in?

USDA zone 8b 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.