Last spring frost
Mar 23
Frost Dates for Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA
First fall frost
Nov 10
Growing season
232 days
Hardiness zone
8a
In an average year around Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA, the last spring frost (32°F) is about Mar 23 and the first fall frost is about Nov 10, giving roughly a 232-day growing season. To be safe most years, wait until Mar 2 before setting out tender plants.
Last spring frost
Dates the last frost of spring typically ends. Plant tender crops after the risk has passed for your comfort level.
| Frost intensity | Early (10%) | Average (50%) | Late (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (36°F) | Apr 21 | Apr 5 | Mar 18 |
| Freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 | Mar 23 | Mar 2 |
| Hard (28°F) | Mar 27 | Mar 9 | Feb 13 |
| Severe (24°F) | Mar 15 | Feb 18 | Jan 21 |
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
| °F | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 21 | Apr 15 | Apr 11 | Apr 8 | Apr 5 | Apr 2 | Mar 29 | Mar 24 | Mar 18 |
| 32°F | Apr 10 | Apr 4 | Mar 31 | Mar 27 | Mar 23 | Mar 19 | Mar 15 | Mar 10 | Mar 2 |
| 28°F | Mar 27 | Mar 21 | Mar 16 | Mar 13 | Mar 9 | Mar 3 | Feb 27 | Feb 21 | Feb 13 |
| 24°F | Mar 15 | Mar 9 | Mar 1 | Feb 23 | Feb 18 | Feb 12 | Feb 6 | Jan 31 | Jan 21 |
| 20°F | Mar 1 | Feb 20 | Feb 11 | Feb 4 | Jan 31 | Jan 26 | Jan 20 | Jan 13 | Jan 3 |
| 16°F | Feb 14 | Feb 4 | Jan 31 | Jan 27 | Jan 22 | Jan 16 | Jan 10 | Jan 5 | Dec 27 |
First fall frost
Dates the first frost of fall typically arrives. Count back by a crop's days-to-maturity to know your planting cutoff.
| Frost intensity | Early (10%) | Average (50%) | Late (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (36°F) | Oct 19 | Oct 31 | Nov 14 |
| Freeze (32°F) | Oct 28 | Nov 10 | Nov 27 |
| Hard (28°F) | Nov 7 | Nov 25 | Dec 19 |
| Severe (24°F) | Nov 21 | Dec 13 | Jan 11 |
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
| °F | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Oct 19 | Oct 23 | Oct 26 | Oct 29 | Oct 31 | Nov 2 | Nov 5 | Nov 9 | Nov 14 |
| 32°F | Oct 28 | Nov 1 | Nov 4 | Nov 7 | Nov 10 | Nov 13 | Nov 17 | Nov 21 | Nov 27 |
| 28°F | Nov 7 | Nov 12 | Nov 16 | Nov 20 | Nov 25 | Nov 30 | Dec 4 | Dec 9 | Dec 19 |
| 24°F | Nov 21 | Nov 27 | Dec 2 | Dec 7 | Dec 13 | Dec 19 | Dec 27 | Jan 2 | Jan 11 |
| 20°F | Dec 5 | Dec 13 | Dec 22 | Dec 29 | Jan 2 | Jan 6 | Jan 12 | Jan 19 | Jan 28 |
| 16°F | Dec 17 | Dec 26 | Jan 1 | Jan 6 | Jan 11 | Jan 15 | Jan 21 | Jan 27 | Feb 4 |
Growing season is measured at 32°F with about 50% probability. Hardiness zone from the 2023 USDA map; frost normals from NOAA 1991-2020.
Where this data comes from
@endif These dates are computed from the nearest official weather station with long-term records: Athens Ben Epps Ap, Ga, about 2.8 miles away@if(!empty($station['elevation_ft'])), at 785 ft elevation. The further the station and the greater the elevation difference from your yard, the more your local frost timing can vary.
How we calculate these dates
Frost and freeze dates come from the NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 30-year averages for each weather station. A date shown at the 50% level is the median: in half of years the frost falls on or before it. The 10% and 90% columns show the early and late ends of the range, so you can plant on the odds you're comfortable with. These are long-term averages, not a forecast for this year - always check your local outlook before planting.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 Climate Normals (public domain). Harman is not affiliated with or endorsed by NOAA.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) around Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA is about Mar 23. In cooler years it can run later, so for a safer bet many gardeners wait until Mar 2.
When is the first frost in the fall?
The first fall frost around Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA typically arrives about Nov 10. Count back by a crop's days to maturity to find the latest date you can plant it.
When can I plant tomatoes and other tender crops?
Tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil are damaged by frost, so wait until the last spring frost has passed - around Mar 23 on average, or Mar 2 to be safe most years.
How long is the growing season here?
The frost-free growing season (between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) is about 232 days in a typical year.
Are these dates a forecast for this year?
No. They are 30-year averages from the NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, not a prediction for the current year. Use them for planning and always check your local weather forecast before planting or protecting crops.
Local weather for 30609 Planting calendar → Georgia frost dates →
Data source: NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals · Page updated Aug 4, 2026