Atlanta Frost Dates
Atlanta, GA · USDA Zone 8a
Median (50 percent probability) dates of the last spring and first fall 32°F freeze at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, from NOAA 1991-2020 US Climate Normals (station USW00013874).
Atlanta is in USDA Zone 8a. Plan tender crops around the average last frost (~March) and wrap up before the first fall frost (~November).
Atlanta planting calendar
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Peppers | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Cucumbers | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Lettuce | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Zucchini | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Carrots | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Beans (bush) | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Peas | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Broccoli | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Spinach | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Kale | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Onions | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Garlic | ||||||||||||
| Potatoes | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Squash (winter) | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Corn | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Radishes | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Beets | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Eggplant | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Basil | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Cilantro | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Parsley | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Pumpkins | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Sunflowers | ● | ● |
Fall planting in Atlanta
The Atlanta average first frost is around November 20, which is what sets the fall deadlines below. Each crop needs its days to maturity plus about two weeks for the slower growth of shortening days, minus whatever it can take once light frost arrives.
| Crop | Sow by | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Radishes | Oct 30 | Nov 27 |
| Cilantro | Oct 6 | Nov 20 |
| Kale | Oct 5 | Dec 4 |
| Beets | Oct 3 | Nov 27 |
| Lettuce | Oct 1 | Nov 20 |
| Carrots | Sep 25 | Dec 4 |
| Broccoli | Sep 23 | Nov 27 |
| Peas | Sep 21 | Nov 20 |
| Zucchini | Aug 29 | Oct 23 |
| Beans (bush) | Aug 29 | Oct 23 |
| Cucumbers | Aug 24 | Oct 23 |
| Potatoes | Aug 18 | Nov 16 |
| Tomatoes | Aug 9 | Oct 23 |
| Peppers | Aug 4 | Oct 23 |
| Eggplant | Jul 30 | Oct 23 |
Planted in fall to overwinter in Atlanta: garlic ( Nov 20 to Dec 18) , onions ( Oct 9 to Oct 30) , spinach ( Oct 9 to Oct 23) , parsley ( Oct 9 to Oct 23) . See when to plant garlic and the fall planting calendar by zone.
Planning around Atlanta's frost dates
- What to plant in October by zone
The October sowing and planting list for Atlanta.
- What to plant in November by zone
What still goes in the ground in November in Atlanta.
- Cold frame gardening by zone
How many weeks a cold frame adds to the Atlanta season, and what to grow in it.
- October garden checklist
The jobs to finish before the first hard freeze in Atlanta.
- Winter sowing guide
Winter sowing dates for Atlanta.
More frost dates
Also in Zone 8a: Dallas, TX . Other cities: New York, NY , Los Angeles, CA , Chicago, IL , Houston, TX , Phoenix, AZ , Philadelphia, PA , Denver, CO , Seattle, WA , Minneapolis, MN , Miami, FL .
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Atlanta?
On average, around March.
What planting zone is Atlanta, GA?
Atlanta is in USDA hardiness Zone 8a.
When is the first frost in Atlanta?
On average, around November 20. That is a 50 percent probability from the 1991-2020 NOAA normals, so half of all years see a freeze before it.
What can I plant in the fall in Atlanta?
radishes (sow by Oct 30), cilantro (sow by Oct 6), kale (sow by Oct 5), beets (sow by Oct 3), lettuce (sow by Oct 1), carrots (sow by Sep 25). Each date is counted back from the Atlanta first frost around November 20.