Last frost date in Gainesville, GA

Average last frost
March 20

Expect the last frost in Gainesville around March 20. Frost after April 6 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 14, which leaves 239 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 31 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 6
Average first frost
Nov 14
Frost-free season
239 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 7
Next 7 nights in Gainesville

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2248°
  2. FriOct 2347°
  3. SatOct 2445°
  4. SunOct 2545°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2748°
  7. WedOct 2848°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 20First frost Nov 14239 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND239 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Gainesville Gilmer Airport, 1.3 miles from Gainesville.

Planting calendar for Gainesville

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Georgia.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMar 27–Apr 10
PumpkinsApr 3–Apr 17
SunflowersMar 20–Apr 10
CucumbersApr 3–Apr 10
CornMar 27–Apr 10
Sweet potatoesApr 10–Apr 24
WatermelonApr 3–Apr 17
Green beansMar 27–Apr 17
ZucchiniMar 27–Apr 10
OkraApr 10–Apr 24
PeppersApr 3–Apr 17
BasilMar 27–Apr 10
Butternut squashMar 27–Apr 10
CantaloupeApr 3–Apr 17
EggplantApr 3–Apr 17
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 20–Mar 6
OnionsFeb 6–Feb 27
CarrotsFeb 27–Apr 3
LettuceMar 6–Mar 27
BroccoliFeb 20–Mar 6
BeetsFeb 20–Apr 3
PeasFeb 6–Feb 20
CabbageFeb 20–Mar 6
RadishesFeb 13–Mar 27
Brussels sproutsMar 6–Mar 20
SpinachFeb 6–Feb 27
CilantroMar 6–Mar 27
KaleFeb 20–Mar 6
Collard greensFeb 20–Mar 6
TurnipsFeb 20–Mar 6
DillMar 20–Apr 3
CeleryMar 27–Apr 3
CauliflowerMar 6–Mar 20
LeeksMar 6–Mar 20
Swiss chardMar 6–Apr 3
ParsleyMar 6–Mar 27
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 31–Dec 5
GarlicOct 24–Nov 28
Daffodil bulbsOct 17–Nov 28
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 20–Mar 6
AsparagusFeb 20–Mar 6

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 1Mar 20Apr 6Oct 31Nov 14Dec 4
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 12Mar 7Mar 26Nov 9Nov 30Dec 25

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 Gainesville Gilmer Airport (USW00053838) sits 1.3 miles from the center of Gainesville at 1,275 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 Gainesville, GA?

The average last frost date in Gainesville is March 20, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 6.

When is the first frost in Gainesville?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 14. One year in ten it arrives before October 31.

How long is the growing season in Gainesville?

About 239 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Gainesville?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 27 to April 10. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Georgia

All 63 cities in Georgia