Frost Dates for McDonough, GA

In McDonough, GA, the average last spring frost is around Mar 31 and the average first fall frost around Nov 6, for a growing season of about 220 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 16, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostMar 3150% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantApr 16only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostNov 650% chance of frost before this date
Growing season220 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Mcdonough 5 Ene, GA weather station, 7 miles away, elevation 708 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%Apr 16Oct 24
20%Apr 9Oct 29
30%Apr 5Nov 1
40%Apr 2Nov 3
50%Mar 31Nov 6
60%Mar 27Nov 9
70%Mar 21Nov 12
80%Mar 15Nov 16
90%Mar 8Nov 24

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Apr 11Oct 27
Frost / freeze (32°F)Mar 31Nov 6
Hard freeze (28°F)Mar 16Nov 17

Planting calendar for McDonough

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 3 – Feb 17
Transplant Apr 7 – Apr 21
Peppers
Indoors Jan 20 – Feb 3
Transplant Apr 14 – Apr 28
Eggplant
Indoors Jan 20 – Feb 3
Transplant Apr 14 – Apr 28
Basil
Indoors Feb 17 – Mar 3
Transplant Apr 7 – Apr 21
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 3 – Mar 10
Sow or transplant Apr 7 – Apr 21
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 3 – Mar 10
Sow or transplant Apr 7 – Apr 21
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 7 – Apr 21
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 3 – Mar 10
Sow or transplant Apr 14 – Apr 28
Green beans
Sow Apr 7 – Apr 21
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 7 – Apr 21
Lettuce
Indoors Feb 17 – Mar 3
Sow or transplant Mar 3 – Mar 17
Fall sowing Sep 11 – Oct 9
Spinach
Sow Feb 17 – Mar 10
Fall sowing Sep 11 – Oct 2
Peas
Sow Feb 17 – Mar 3
Fall sowing Aug 28 – Sep 11
Kale
Indoors Feb 3 – Feb 17
Sow or transplant Mar 3 – Mar 17
Fall sowing Aug 28 – Sep 25
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 3 – Feb 17
Transplant Mar 17 – Mar 31
Fall sowing Aug 14 – Aug 28
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 3 – Feb 17
Transplant Mar 10 – Mar 24
Fall sowing Aug 14 – Aug 28
Carrots
Sow Mar 10 – Mar 31
Fall sowing Aug 14 – Aug 28
Radishes
Sow Feb 24 – Mar 17
Fall sowing Sep 25 – Oct 16
Beets
Sow Mar 10 – Mar 31
Fall sowing Aug 28 – Sep 11
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 6 – Jan 20
Plant Mar 3 – Mar 17
Potatoes
Plant Mar 10 – Mar 24
Garlic
Plant Nov 6 – Dec 4

Based on the average last frost (Mar 31) and first frost (Nov 6). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

StockbridgeStonecrestEast PointPeachtree CityUnion CityAtlantaTuckerSouth FultonAll Georgia towns