🌱 GrowGuide Almanac
HomeGeorgia › Atlanta

Atlanta, GA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8a · ZIP 30309 · elevation 299′ · NOAA & USDA data

Atlanta is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (winters can dip to 10 to 15°F), with a growing season of about 228 days between the average last spring frost (March 25) and first fall frost (November 9). The warmest month is July (avg high 83.8°F); the coldest is January (avg low 31.7°F). It averages 56.2″ of precipitation a year and 1.2″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone
8a
min temp 10 to 15°F
Last spring frost
March 25
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
First fall frost
November 9
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
Growing season
228 days
frost-free window
Warmest month
July
avg high 83.8°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Atlanta

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Mableton 1 N, GA (11.6 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

MonthAvg highAvg lowMeanPrecip (in)Snow (in)
January 53.3 31.7 42.5 4.9 0.7
February 57.4 34.6 46 4.9 0.2
March 65.4 40.2 52.8 4.9 0.1
April 71.7 48.3 60 4 0
May 76.5 57.4 66.9 4.2 0
June 82.4 65.1 73.8 4.1 0
July 83.8 68.4 76.1 7 0
August 83.6 67.9 75.7 4.8 0
September 79.5 61.8 70.6 3.7 0
October 70.8 50.9 60.9 4.2 0
November 62.9 39.8 51.3 4.5 0
December 55.4 34.9 45.1 4.9 0.2

What to plant when in Atlanta

CropSeasonWhat to do & when
TomatoeswarmStart seeds indoors: February 11 · Transplant out: April 1
PepperswarmStart seeds indoors: January 28 · Transplant out: April 8
CucumberswarmDirect sow: April 1
Zucchini / squashwarmDirect sow: April 1
Bush beanswarmDirect sow: April 1
Sweet cornwarmDirect sow: April 1
BasilwarmTransplant out: April 1
PeascoolSow (spring): February 18 · Sow (fall): September 14
SpinachcoolSow (spring): February 11 · Sow (fall): September 14
LettucecoolSow (spring): February 25 · Sow (fall): September 14
KalecoolTransplant (spring): March 4 · Sow (fall): August 31
BroccolicoolTransplant (spring): March 11
CarrotscoolSow (spring): March 4 · Sow (fall): August 31
OnionscoolTransplant (spring): February 25
PotatoescoolPlant seed potatoes: March 11
RadishescoolSow (spring): February 25 · Sow (fall): September 28

Dates are computed from Atlanta's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

Want the exact dates for your yard? →
Look up your precise ZIP-code frost dates and a full 26-crop planting calendar on our free interactive tool.
Open the frost & planting tool

🌾 Get a frost reminder

One email in early spring and early fall with the dates for your area. No spam.

Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Georgia

Smyrna, GAMarietta, GARoswell, GAAlpharetta, GAMacon, GAWarner Robins, GAColumbus, GAAlbany, GA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Atlanta Peachtree Ap, GA, 7.1 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Mableton 1 N, GA, 11.6 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.