FrostCal

When to Plant Cosmos in Georgia

In a typical Georgia location, start seeds indoors Feb 25 – Mar 4, then sow outdoors Apr 1 – Apr 15, then transplant outdoors Apr 1 – Apr 8. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 9 in St. Marys and as late as Apr 18 in Cartersville.

Method Direct sow
Days to maturity 60–90 days

Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.

Cosmos Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
AtlantaFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
ColumbusFeb 5 – Feb 12Mar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 19
SavannahFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 9 – Mar 23Mar 9 – Mar 16
AthensFeb 23 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13Mar 30 – Apr 6
South FultonFeb 15 – Feb 22Mar 22 – Apr 5Mar 22 – Mar 29
Sandy SpringsFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15Apr 1 – Apr 8
RoswellFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15Apr 1 – Apr 8
MaconFeb 21 – Feb 28Mar 28 – Apr 11Mar 28 – Apr 4
Johns CreekFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15Apr 1 – Apr 8
AlbanyFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 17 – Mar 31Mar 17 – Mar 24
Warner RobinsFeb 11 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1Mar 18 – Mar 25
AlpharettaFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15Apr 1 – Apr 8
MariettaFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
SmyrnaFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
ValdostaFeb 5 – Feb 12Mar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 19
BrookhavenFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15Apr 1 – Apr 8
StonecrestFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15Apr 1 – Apr 8
DunwoodyFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15Apr 1 – Apr 8
AugustaJan 30 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20Mar 6 – Mar 13
Peachtree CornersFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15Apr 1 – Apr 8
GainesvilleFeb 20 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10Mar 27 – Apr 3
MiltonMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
NewnanMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
MabletonFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
RomeMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
MartinezJan 30 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20Mar 6 – Mar 13
East PointFeb 15 – Feb 22Mar 22 – Apr 5Mar 22 – Mar 29
Peachtree CityFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16Apr 2 – Apr 9
DaltonMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
KennesawMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16

Showing the 30 most populous of 113 Georgia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Georgia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cosmos in Georgia?

In a typical Georgia location, start seeds indoors Feb 25 – Mar 4, then sow outdoors Apr 1 – Apr 15, then transplant outdoors Apr 1 – Apr 8. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 9 in St. Marys and as late as Apr 18 in Cartersville.

When is the last frost in Georgia?

The average last spring frost in Georgia ranges from February 2 in St. Marys to April 11 in Cartersville, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do cosmos take to grow?

Cosmos typically take 60–90 days from planting to harvest. Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.

Other Crops in Georgia

When to plant cosmos in other states

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