Frost Dates for Cornelia, GA 30531
Last spring frost April 13 · First fall frost October 26 · 196 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 30531 has about 11,800 people.
Long season: 196 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 22–May 5 (44 days). Fall frost risk spans October 8–November 13 (36 days).
Frost probability for 30531
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 5 | April 13 | March 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 8 | October 26 | November 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CORNELIA (5.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 196-day season in Cornelia
In Cornelia (196 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 154 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 27. | Jun 26 |
| Pepper | Mar 2 | Apr 27–May 4 | 154 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 27. | Jul 1 |
| Lettuce | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 4 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 238 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 23. | Aug 24 |
| Cucumber | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Peas | — | Feb 16–Apr 27 | 259 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 259 available after Feb 16. | Aug 15 |
| Zucchini | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Onion | Jan 19 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 231 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 16–Apr 6 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 231 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 16. | Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 245 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 16. | Aug 24 |
| Radish | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 24 |
| Beets | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 26 | 301 | overwinter: Plant Oct 26 to Nov 16; harvest the following summer. | Nov 16 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 9–May 4 | 252 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 168 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 20. | Jul 8 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 30 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 161 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 27. | Jun 13 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 210 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 6. | Aug 5 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Mar 30 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 23 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 245 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 16. | Jul 25 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 161 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 27. | Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 154 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 27. | Jul 6 |
| Okra | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Basil | Mar 9 | May 4–May 4 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 16–Apr 6 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Parsley | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 196 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 20. | Aug 10 |
| Celery | Feb 2 | Apr 20–May 4 | 196 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 20. | Jun 21 |
| Scallions | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 4 |
| Collards | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 154 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 27. | Jun 21 |
| Chives | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 210 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Oregano | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 210 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 196 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Sage | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 210 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 210 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Cosmos | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Lavender | Jan 19 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Melons | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 154 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 27. | Jun 21 |
| Mint | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 175 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 20. | Jul 25 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 161 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 27. | Jun 23 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 182 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 13. | Jul 20 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 161 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 20. | Jul 1 |
| Watermelon | Mar 30 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 161 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 20. | Jun 26 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Zinnias | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
Month by month in Cornelia
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 19), Lavender (Jan 19), Onion (Jan 19), Rosemary (Jan 19). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 2), Collards (Feb 2), Kale (Feb 2), Oregano (Feb 2), Parsley (Feb 2), Scallions (Feb 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 16), Beets (Feb 16), Dill (Feb 16), Peas (Feb 16), Radish (Feb 16), Spinach (Feb 16). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 2), Cauliflower (Mar 2), Marigolds (Mar 2), Pepper (Mar 2), Basil (Mar 9), Tomato (Mar 9), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 2), Cilantro (Mar 16), Turnip (Mar 16), Carrots (Mar 23), Potatoes (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 16), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 16), Cabbage (Mar 16), Collards (Mar 16), Kale (Mar 16), Lettuce (Mar 16), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 9). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 13), Beans (Apr 20), Pole Beans (Apr 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 6), Cauliflower (Apr 6), Cosmos (Apr 13), Lavender (Apr 13), Marigolds (Apr 13), Mint (Apr 13), +24 more. Last frost around April 13. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 4). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 13), Pumpkin (Jun 13), Cantaloupe (Jun 21), Celery (Jun 21), Melons (Jun 21), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 23), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 1), Tomatillos (Jul 1), Eggplant (Jul 6), Corn (Jul 8), Sunflowers (Jul 20), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 25), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 4), Okra (Aug 4), Yellow Squash (Aug 4), Zucchini (Aug 4), Cauliflower (Aug 5), Beans (Aug 6), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 3), Scallions (Sep 3), Bok Choy (Sep 4), Lettuce (Sep 4), Kale (Sep 8), Kohlrabi (Sep 8), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 26). First frost around October 26. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 16). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Cornelia, GA (ZIP 30531)?
The median last spring frost date for Cornelia, GA (ZIP code 30531) is around April 13. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 22; one in ten it runs past May 5.
What is the first fall frost date in Cornelia, GA?
The median first fall frost date for Cornelia, GA is around October 26. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 8 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Cornelia, GA?
The frost-free growing season in Cornelia is about 196 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Cornelia (196 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Cornelia, GA?
Cornelia, GA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Cornelia, GA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 9 and plant out Apr 27 in Cornelia. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Cornelia?
Two: plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2.
When do I plant garlic in Cornelia?
Oct 26 to Nov 16; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Cornelia?
Yes: plant out Apr 27 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 26 for a fall crop.
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