Last frost date in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Expect the last frost in Athens-Clarke County around March 23. Frost after April 10 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 10, which leaves 232 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 28 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- Apr 10
- Average first frost
- Nov 10
- Frost-free season
- 232 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Mar 9
No frost in the next 7 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2246°
- FriOct 2345°
- SatOct 2443°
- SunOct 2543°
- MonOct 2643°
- TueOct 2746°
- WedOct 2847°
Planting calendar for Athens-Clarke County
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Georgia.
TomatoesMar 30–Apr 13
PumpkinsApr 6–Apr 20
SunflowersMar 23–Apr 13
CucumbersApr 6–Apr 13
CornMar 30–Apr 13
Sweet potatoesApr 13–Apr 27
WatermelonApr 6–Apr 20
Green beansMar 30–Apr 20
ZucchiniMar 30–Apr 13
OkraApr 13–Apr 27
PeppersApr 6–Apr 20
BasilMar 30–Apr 13
Butternut squashMar 30–Apr 13
CantaloupeApr 6–Apr 20
EggplantApr 6–Apr 20
PotatoesFeb 23–Mar 9
OnionsFeb 9–Mar 2
CarrotsMar 2–Apr 6
LettuceMar 9–Mar 30
BroccoliFeb 23–Mar 9
BeetsFeb 23–Apr 6
PeasFeb 9–Feb 23
CabbageFeb 23–Mar 9
RadishesFeb 16–Mar 30
Brussels sproutsMar 9–Mar 23
SpinachFeb 9–Mar 2
CilantroMar 9–Mar 30
KaleFeb 23–Mar 9
Collard greensFeb 23–Mar 9
TurnipsFeb 23–Mar 9
DillMar 23–Apr 6
CeleryMar 30–Apr 6
CauliflowerMar 9–Mar 23
LeeksMar 9–Mar 23
Swiss chardMar 9–Apr 6
ParsleyMar 9–Mar 30
Tulip bulbsOct 27–Dec 1
GarlicOct 20–Nov 24
Daffodil bulbsOct 13–Nov 24
StrawberriesFeb 23–Mar 9
AsparagusFeb 23–Mar 9Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Mar 2 | Mar 23 | Apr 10 | Oct 28 | Nov 10 | Nov 27 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Feb 13 | Mar 9 | Mar 27 | Nov 7 | Nov 25 | Dec 19 |
Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.
Where these numbers come from
NOAA station Athens Ben Epps Airport (USW00013873) sits 2.4 miles from the center of Athens-Clarke County at 785 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.
Questions
When is the last frost in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The average last frost date in Athens-Clarke County is March 23, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 10.
When is the first frost in Athens-Clarke County?
The first frost in fall usually comes around November 10. One year in ten it arrives before October 28.
How long is the growing season in Athens-Clarke County?
About 232 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Athens-Clarke County?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 30 to April 13. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Georgia
- WinderApr 3
- MulberryApr 3
- GainesvilleMar 20
- LawrencevilleApr 3
- SnellvilleApr 3
- Sugar HillApr 4
- SuwaneeApr 4
- ConyersMar 22
- DuluthMar 25
- RedanMar 25
- Johns CreekMar 25
- StonecrestMar 31