Frost Dates for Valdosta, GA 31602
Last spring frost March 3 · First fall frost November 26 · 268 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 31602 has about 35,700 people, the largest of 5 ZIP codes in Valdosta.
Very long season: 268 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 9–March 23 (42 days). Fall frost risk spans November 2–December 20 (48 days).
Frost probability for 31602
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 23 | March 3 | February 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 2 | November 26 | December 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at QUITMAN 2 NW (23.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Valdosta, GA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31602 | March 3 | November 26 | 9a |
| 31601 | March 3 | November 20 | 9a |
| 31605 | March 3 | November 20 | 9a |
| 31606 | March 3 | November 20 | 9a |
| 31698 | March 3 | November 20 | 9a |
Which crops fit a 268-day season in Valdosta
In Valdosta (268 frost-free days, a very 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 | Jan 27 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 226 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 17. | Jul 27 |
| Pepper | Jan 20 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 226 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 17. | Aug 1 |
| Lettuce | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 303 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 5 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 310 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 310 available after Feb 10. | Sep 24 |
| Cucumber | Feb 10 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Beans | — | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Peas | — | Jan 6–Mar 17 | 331 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 331 available after Jan 6. | Sep 15 |
| Zucchini | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Onion | Dec 9 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 303 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 303 available after Feb 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 6–Feb 24 | 345 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 24; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 24 |
| Kale | Dec 23 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 317 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 9 |
| Broccoli | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 303 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 303 available after Feb 3. | Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 317 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 317 available after Feb 3. | Sep 24 |
| Radish | — | Jan 6–Mar 31 | 331 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 25 |
| Beets | — | Jan 6–Mar 31 | 331 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 289 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 289 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 26 | 373 | overwinter: Plant Nov 26 to Dec 17; harvest the following summer. | Dec 17 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 27–Mar 24 | 324 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 3 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 240 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 10. | Aug 8 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 17 | 233 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 17. | Jul 14 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 20 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 282 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 282 available after Feb 24. | Sep 5 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 6 | Feb 17–Feb 17 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 6–Mar 31 | 345 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 24; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 24 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 317 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 317 available after Feb 3. | Aug 25 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 233 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 17. | Jul 14 |
| Eggplant | Jan 13 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 17. | Aug 6 |
| Okra | Feb 3 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Basil | Jan 27 | Mar 24–Mar 24 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 3–Feb 24 | 303 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 30 |
| Parsley | Dec 23 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 268 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 268 available after Mar 10. | Sep 10 |
| Celery | Dec 23 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 268 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 268 available after Mar 10. | Jul 22 |
| Scallions | Dec 23 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 317 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 4 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 317 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 14 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 331 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 9 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 3 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 5 |
| Collards | Dec 23 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 317 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 4 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 226 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 17. | Jul 22 |
| Chives | Dec 9 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 282 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 282 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 6–Mar 31 | 331 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Oregano | Dec 23 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 282 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 282 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 9 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 268 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 268 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Sage | Jan 6 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 282 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 282 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 23 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 282 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 282 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 30 |
| Cosmos | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Lavender | Dec 9 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 289 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 289 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 9 |
| Melons | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 226 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 17. | Jul 22 |
| Mint | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 289 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 289 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 247 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 10. | Aug 25 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 233 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 17. | Jul 24 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 254 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 254 available after Mar 3. | Aug 20 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 6 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 233 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 10. | Aug 1 |
| Watermelon | Feb 17 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 233 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 10. | Jul 27 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Zinnias | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
Month by month in Valdosta
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 6), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 6), Cabbage (Jan 6), Lettuce (Jan 6), Sage (Jan 6), Swiss Chard (Jan 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 6), Beets (Jan 6), Dill (Jan 6), Peas (Jan 6), Radish (Jan 6), Spinach (Jan 6), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 27). |
| February | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Feb 3), Corn (Feb 3), Cosmos (Feb 3), Nasturtiums (Feb 3), Okra (Feb 3), Zinnias (Feb 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Feb 3), Turnip (Feb 3), Carrots (Feb 10), Potatoes (Feb 17). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 3), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 3), Cabbage (Feb 3), Collards (Feb 3), Kale (Feb 3), Lettuce (Feb 3), +6 more. |
| March | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Mar 3), Beans (Mar 10), Pole Beans (Mar 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (Mar 3), Lavender (Mar 3), Marigolds (Mar 3), Mint (Mar 3), Nasturtiums (Mar 3), Zinnias (Mar 3), +23 more. Last frost around March 3. |
| April | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 14), Pumpkin (Jul 14), Cantaloupe (Jul 22), Celery (Jul 22), Melons (Jul 22), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 24), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 1), Tomatillos (Aug 1), Eggplant (Aug 6), Corn (Aug 8), Sunflowers (Aug 20), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 25), +6 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Sep 4), Okra (Sep 4), Yellow Squash (Sep 4), Zucchini (Sep 4), Cauliflower (Sep 5), Beans (Sep 6), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Collards (Oct 4), Scallions (Oct 4), Bok Choy (Oct 5), Lettuce (Oct 5), Kale (Oct 9), Kohlrabi (Oct 9), +4 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 26). First frost around November 26. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 9), Lavender (Dec 9), Onion (Dec 9), Rosemary (Dec 9), Celery (Dec 23), Collards (Dec 23), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 17). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Valdosta, GA (ZIP 31602)?
The median last spring frost date for Valdosta, GA (ZIP code 31602) is around March 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 February 9; one in ten it runs past March 23.
What is the first fall frost date in Valdosta, GA?
The median first fall frost date for Valdosta, GA is around November 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 November 2 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Valdosta, GA?
The frost-free growing season in Valdosta is about 268 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 Valdosta (268 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Valdosta, GA?
Valdosta, GA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (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 Valdosta, GA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 27 and plant out Mar 17 in Valdosta. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Valdosta?
Two: plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 3.
When do I plant garlic in Valdosta?
Nov 26 to Dec 17; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Valdosta?
Yes: plant out Mar 17 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 27 for a fall crop.
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