Savannah, GA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Mar 2
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 30
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
273 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
9a
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 4 Mar 2 Mar 25
First fall frost Dec 28 Nov 30 Nov 11
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 13 · first Dec 22

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Savannah International Airport station (13 km from central Savannah). "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 Savannah

Computed from Savannah's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 5 – Jan 19 Mar 9 – Mar 16
🫑 Peppers Dec 22 – Jan 5 Mar 16 – Mar 23
🥬 Lettuce Jan 19 – Feb 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16 Feb 2 – Mar 2
🫛 Peas Jan 19 – Feb 2
🥕 Carrots Feb 9 – Mar 2
🥦 Broccoli Jan 12 – Jan 26 Feb 9 – Feb 23
🥬 Kale Jan 19 – Feb 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16 Feb 2 – Feb 16
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 2 – Feb 9 Mar 9 – Mar 16 Mar 9 – Mar 16
🥒 Zucchini Feb 2 – Feb 9 Mar 9 – Mar 16 Mar 9 – Mar 16
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 9 – Mar 16
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 9 – Mar 16
🌿 Basil Jan 19 – Feb 2 Mar 9 – Mar 16 Mar 16 – Mar 23
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 19 – Nov 16

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 Savannah's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Savannah

With roughly 273 frost-free days, Savannah 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 30 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Savannah, GA?

The average last spring frost in Savannah is around Mar 2, 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 Savannah, GA?

The average first fall frost in Savannah arrives around Nov 30. 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 Savannah?

About 273 frost-free days on average, from Mar 2 to Nov 30. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Savannah in?

USDA zone 9a 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.