Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Powder Springs, GA
Plan your garden around Powder Springs, GA's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
March 27
Safe Apr 12
Typical Mar 27
Risky Mar 9
First Fall Frost
November 7
Safe Oct 27
Typical Nov 7
Risky Nov 26
Growing Season
225 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a
Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.
Data: NOAA station MABLETON 1 N, GA US, 9.8 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Sep 12 – Sep 26 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | — | Sep 12 – Sep 26 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 29 – Sep 12 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Sep 26 – Oct 3 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Sep 5 – Sep 12 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Aug 29 – Sep 5 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 15 – Aug 29 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 29 – Sep 12 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | Sep 26 – Oct 10 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 29 – Sep 12 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Oct 24 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Sep 12 – Sep 26 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Powder Springs, GA?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the MABLETON 1 N, GA US station, the last spring frost in Powder Springs typically falls around March 27. A cautious gardener might wait until April 12 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while March 9 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Powder Springs, GA in fall?
The first fall frost in Powder Springs typically arrives around November 7. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as October 27; in milder years it can hold off until November 26.
How long is the growing season in Powder Springs, GA?
Powder Springs's average frost-free growing season is about 225 days, running from the typical last spring frost (March 27) to the typical first fall frost (November 7).
What USDA hardiness zone is Powder Springs, GA in?
Powder Springs, GA is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.