Frost Dates for Gainesville, GA 30501
Gainesville has 4 ZIP codes. The Gainesville, GA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 3 · First fall frost October 31 · 211 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 30501 has about 32,300 people, one of 4 ZIP codes in Gainesville.
Long season: 211 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 16–April 20 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans October 14–November 17 (34 days).
Frost probability for 30501
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 20 | April 3 | March 16 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 14 | October 31 | November 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COMMERCE 4 NNW (30.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 211-day season in Gainesville
In Gainesville (211 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 | Feb 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 17. | Jul 1 |
| Pepper | Feb 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 17. | Jul 6 |
| Lettuce | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 9 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 253 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 13. | Aug 29 |
| Cucumber | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Beans | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Peas | — | Feb 6–Apr 17 | 274 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 274 available after Feb 6. | Aug 20 |
| Zucchini | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Onion | Jan 9 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 246 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 6–Mar 27 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 28 |
| Kale | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 246 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 6. | Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 260 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 6. | Aug 29 |
| Radish | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 29 |
| Beets | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 31 | 316 | overwinter: Plant Oct 31 to Nov 21; harvest the following summer. | Nov 21 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 27–Apr 24 | 267 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 10. | Jul 13 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 176 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 17. | Jun 18 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 225 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 27. | Aug 10 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Mar 20 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 28 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 260 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 6. | Jul 30 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 176 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 17. | Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 169 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 17. | Jul 11 |
| Okra | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Basil | Feb 27 | Apr 24–Apr 24 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 6–Mar 27 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Parsley | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 211 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 10. | Aug 15 |
| Celery | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 211 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 10. | Jun 26 |
| Scallions | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 18 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 13 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 6 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 9 |
| Collards | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 169 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 17. | Jun 26 |
| Chives | Jan 9 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Oregano | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 225 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 9 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 211 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Sage | Feb 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 225 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Cosmos | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Lavender | Jan 9 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Melons | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 169 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 17. | Jun 26 |
| Mint | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 190 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 10. | Jul 30 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 17. | Jun 28 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 197 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 3. | Jul 25 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 10. | Jul 6 |
| Watermelon | Mar 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 10. | Jul 1 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Zinnias | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
Month by month in Gainesville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 9), Lavender (Jan 9), Onion (Jan 9), Rosemary (Jan 9), Celery (Jan 23), Collards (Jan 23), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 6), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 6), Cabbage (Feb 6), Lettuce (Feb 6), Sage (Feb 6), Swiss Chard (Feb 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 6), Beets (Feb 6), Dill (Feb 6), Peas (Feb 6), Radish (Feb 6), Spinach (Feb 6), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 27). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 6), Corn (Mar 6), Cosmos (Mar 6), Nasturtiums (Mar 6), Okra (Mar 6), Zinnias (Mar 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 6), Turnip (Mar 6), Carrots (Mar 13), Potatoes (Mar 20). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 6), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 6), Cabbage (Mar 6), Collards (Mar 6), Kale (Mar 6), Lettuce (Mar 6), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 3), Beans (Apr 10), Pole Beans (Apr 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 3), Lavender (Apr 3), Marigolds (Apr 3), Mint (Apr 3), Nasturtiums (Apr 3), Zinnias (Apr 3), +23 more. Last frost around April 3. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 18), Pumpkin (Jun 18), Cantaloupe (Jun 26), Celery (Jun 26), Melons (Jun 26), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 28). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jul 1), Watermelon (Jul 1), Pepper (Jul 6), Tomatillos (Jul 6), Eggplant (Jul 11), Corn (Jul 13), +3 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 4), Cosmos (Aug 4), Cucumber (Aug 4), Zinnias (Aug 4), Broccoli (Aug 5), Nasturtiums (Aug 9), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 4), Cilantro (Sep 4), Collards (Sep 8), Scallions (Sep 8), Bok Choy (Sep 9), Lettuce (Sep 9), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 31). First frost around October 31. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 21). |
| 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 Gainesville, GA (ZIP 30501)?
The median last spring frost date for Gainesville, GA (ZIP code 30501) is around April 3. 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 16; one in ten it runs past April 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Gainesville, GA?
The median first fall frost date for Gainesville, GA is around October 31. 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 14 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Gainesville, GA?
The frost-free growing season in Gainesville is about 211 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 Gainesville (211 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 Gainesville, GA?
Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, GA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 27 and plant out Apr 17 in Gainesville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Gainesville?
Two: plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 7.
When do I plant garlic in Gainesville?
Oct 31 to Nov 21; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Gainesville?
Yes: plant out Apr 17 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 1 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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- When to plant in Gainesville, GA: month-by-month guide
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