When to Plant in Georgia: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 751 Georgia ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is Mar 23 and the median first fall frost is Nov 11 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 8 areas: Apr 1 – Apr 8; Zone 9 areas: Mar 16 – Mar 23.
Georgia spans USDA hardiness zones 7b–9a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 751 of its 751 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is Mar 23 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Mar 5 – Apr 3) and the median first fall frost is Nov 11 (Nov 3 – Nov 27). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Georgia frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 8 (536 ZIP codes) | Atlanta Peachtree Airport, GA, Macon Middle Ga Rgnl Airport, GA, Mableton 1 N, GA | Mar 25middle 80%: Mar 12 – Apr 3 | Nov 9middle 80%: Nov 3 – Nov 19 |
| Zone 9 (181 ZIP codes) | Savannah Intl Airport, GA, Tifton, GA, Moultrie 2 Ese, GA | Mar 9middle 80%: Mar 2 – Mar 14 | Nov 21middle 80%: Nov 17 – Nov 30 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each Georgia ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Zone groups with fewer than 5% of ZIP codes (26 ZIP codes) are left out of the columns. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Allendale 2 Nw, SC, Chattanooga Lovell Airport, TN, Clarks Hill 1 W, SC, Eufaula Wildlife Ref, AL, Glen St Mary 1 W, FL, Hayesville 1 Ne, NC…). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
Georgia vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of Georgia, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 8 areasLast frost Mar 25 · First frost Nov 9 | Zone 9 areasLast frost Mar 9 · First frost Nov 21 |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Dec 29 – Jan 12 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Dec 29 – Jan 12 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Dec 29 – Jan 12 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jan 12 – Jan 26 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jan 12 – Jan 26 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jan 12 – Jan 26 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Feb 11 – Feb 25Harvest (est.) Apr 12 – May 16 | Jan 26 – Feb 9Harvest (est.) Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Feb 11 – Feb 25Harvest (est.) Mar 28 – Apr 26 | Jan 26 – Feb 9Harvest (est.) Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Feb 18 – Mar 11Harvest (est.) Mar 10 – Apr 10 | Feb 2 – Feb 23Harvest (est.) Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 25 – Mar 11Harvest (est.) Apr 26 – May 30 | Feb 9 – Feb 23Harvest (est.) Apr 10 – May 14 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 25 – Mar 11Harvest (est.) May 21 – Jul 9 | Feb 9 – Feb 23Harvest (est.) May 5 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 25 – Mar 11Harvest (est.) Apr 16 – May 20 | Feb 9 – Feb 23Harvest (est.) Mar 31 – May 4 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 25 – Mar 11Harvest (est.) May 6 – Jun 9 | Feb 9 – Feb 23Harvest (est.) Apr 20 – May 24 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Feb 16 – Mar 9 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Feb 16 – Mar 9 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | Mar 11 – Mar 18Harvest (est.) Jun 4 – Jul 6 | Feb 23 – Mar 2Harvest (est.) May 19 – Jun 20 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 1 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) Jun 10 – Jul 7 | Mar 16 – Mar 23Harvest (est.) May 25 – Jun 21 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 1 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) May 16 – Jun 17 | Mar 16 – Mar 23Harvest (est.) Apr 30 – Jun 1 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 1 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) Jun 5 – Jul 7 | Mar 16 – Mar 23Harvest (est.) May 20 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 1 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) May 11 – Jun 12 | Mar 16 – Mar 23Harvest (est.) Apr 25 – May 27 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 1 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) May 11 – May 28 | Mar 16 – Mar 23Harvest (est.) Apr 25 – May 12 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 1 – Apr 15Harvest (est.) Jun 20 – Jul 24 | Mar 16 – Mar 30Harvest (est.) Jun 4 – Jul 8 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 1 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) May 13 – May 20 | Mar 16 – Mar 23Harvest (est.) Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 8 – Apr 15Harvest (est.) Jun 12 – Jun 29 | Mar 23 – Mar 30Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 8 – Apr 15Harvest (est.) Jun 17 – Jul 14 | Mar 23 – Mar 30Harvest (est.) Jun 1 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 17 – Aug 31Harvest (est.) Oct 6 – Nov 9 | Aug 29 – Sep 12Harvest (est.) Oct 18 – Nov 21 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 17 – Aug 31Harvest (est.) Oct 26 – Nov 29 | Aug 29 – Sep 12Harvest (est.) Nov 7 – Dec 11 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 31 – Sep 14Harvest (est.) Oct 20 – Nov 23 | Sep 12 – Sep 26Harvest (est.) Nov 1 – Dec 5 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 14 – Sep 28Harvest (est.) Nov 13 – Dec 17 | Sep 26 – Oct 10Harvest (est.) Nov 25 – Dec 29 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Sep 21 – Oct 12Harvest (est.) Nov 5 – Dec 11 | Oct 3 – Oct 24Harvest (est.) Nov 17 – Dec 23 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 28 – Oct 12Harvest (est.) Oct 18 – Nov 11 | Oct 10 – Oct 24Harvest (est.) Oct 30 – Nov 23 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 12 – Nov 23 | Oct 24 – Dec 5 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 26 – Dec 7 | Nov 7 – Dec 19 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Oct 26 – Nov 30Harvest (est.) Jul 3, 2027 – Aug 27, 2027 | Nov 7 – Dec 12Harvest (est.) Jul 15, 2027 – Sep 8, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
Georgia USDA zone guides: Zone 7 planting guide Zone 8 planting guide Zone 9 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for Georgia gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Georgia?
Across the 751 Georgia ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is Mar 23, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Mar 5 to Apr 3. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in Georgia?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 8 areas: Apr 1 – Apr 8; Zone 9 areas: Mar 16 – Mar 23.
What USDA zone is Georgia?
Georgia spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 7b–9a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
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