Frost Dates for Waycross, GA 31501
Waycross has 2 ZIP codes. The Waycross, GA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost March 15 · First fall frost November 20 · 250 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 31501 has about 13,500 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Waycross.
Very long season: 250 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 18–April 5 (46 days). Fall frost risk spans November 1–December 8 (37 days).
Frost probability for 31501
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 5 | March 15 | February 18 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 1 | November 20 | December 8 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WAYCROSS 4 NE (4.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 250-day season in Waycross
In Waycross (250 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 | Feb 8 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 208 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 29. | Jul 21 |
| Pepper | Feb 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 208 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 29. | Jul 26 |
| Lettuce | Jan 18 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 29 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 292 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 292 available after Feb 22. | Sep 18 |
| Cucumber | Feb 22 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Beans | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Peas | — | Jan 18–Mar 29 | 313 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 313 available after Jan 18. | Sep 9 |
| Zucchini | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Onion | Dec 21 | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 285 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 285 available after Feb 15. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 18–Mar 8 | 327 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 18 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 18 |
| Kale | Jan 4 | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 3 |
| Broccoli | Jan 18 | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 285 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 285 available after Feb 15. | Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Jan 18 | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 299 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 15. | Sep 18 |
| Radish | — | Jan 18–Apr 12 | 313 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 18 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Oct 19 |
| Beets | — | Jan 18–Apr 12 | 313 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 18 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 1–Mar 8 | 271 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 1. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 20 | 355 | overwinter: Plant Nov 20 to Dec 11; harvest the following summer. | Dec 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 8–Apr 5 | 306 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 8; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 15 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 222 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 22. | Aug 2 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Mar 29 | 215 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 29. | Jul 8 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 1 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 264 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 8. | Aug 30 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 1 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 18–Apr 12 | 327 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 18 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 18 | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 299 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 15. | Aug 19 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 215 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 29. | Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Jan 25 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 29. | Jul 31 |
| Okra | Feb 15 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Basil | Feb 8 | Apr 5–Apr 5 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 15–Mar 8 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Parsley | Jan 4 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 250 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 22. | Sep 4 |
| Celery | Jan 4 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 250 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 22. | Jul 16 |
| Scallions | Jan 4 | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 11. | Sep 28 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 313 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 3 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 15 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 29 |
| Collards | Jan 4 | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 11. | Sep 28 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 208 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 29. | Jul 16 |
| Chives | Dec 21 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 264 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 18–Apr 12 | 313 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 18 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Oregano | Jan 4 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 264 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 21 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 250 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Sage | Jan 18 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 264 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 4 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 264 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Cosmos | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Lavender | Dec 21 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 271 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 15. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 1 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Melons | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 208 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 29. | Jul 16 |
| Mint | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 271 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 15. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 229 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 22. | Aug 19 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 29. | Jul 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 236 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 15. | Aug 14 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 18 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 215 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 22. | Jul 26 |
| Watermelon | Mar 1 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 215 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 22. | Jul 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Zinnias | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
Month by month in Waycross
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 4), Collards (Jan 4), Kale (Jan 4), Oregano (Jan 4), Parsley (Jan 4), Scallions (Jan 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 18), Beets (Jan 18), Dill (Jan 18), Peas (Jan 18), Radish (Jan 18), Spinach (Jan 18). |
| February | Start indoors: Calendula (Feb 1), Cauliflower (Feb 1), Marigolds (Feb 1), Pepper (Feb 1), Basil (Feb 8), Tomato (Feb 8), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 1), Cilantro (Feb 15), Turnip (Feb 15), Carrots (Feb 22). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 15), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 15), Cabbage (Feb 15), Collards (Feb 15), Kale (Feb 15), Lettuce (Feb 15), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 8). |
| March | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Mar 1), Cantaloupe (Mar 1), Melons (Mar 1), Pumpkin (Mar 1), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 1), Watermelon (Mar 1), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Mar 1), Sunflowers (Mar 15), Beans (Mar 22), Pole Beans (Mar 22). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 1), Swiss Chard (Mar 1), Bok Choy (Mar 8), Cauliflower (Mar 8), Cosmos (Mar 15), Lavender (Mar 15), +26 more. Last frost around March 15. |
| April | Transplant from: Basil (Apr 5). |
| 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 8), Pumpkin (Jul 8), Cantaloupe (Jul 16), Celery (Jul 16), Melons (Jul 16), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 18), +5 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Corn (Aug 2), Sunflowers (Aug 14), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 19), Pole Beans (Aug 19), Basil (Aug 24), Cosmos (Aug 24), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Sep 3), Parsley (Sep 4), Peas (Sep 9), Cabbage (Sep 18), Carrots (Sep 18), Beets (Sep 19), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Kale (Oct 3), Kohlrabi (Oct 3), Turnip (Oct 8), Arugula (Oct 18), Spinach (Oct 18), Radish (Oct 19). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 20). First frost around November 20. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 21), Lavender (Dec 21), Onion (Dec 21), Rosemary (Dec 21). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 11). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Waycross, GA (ZIP 31501)?
The median last spring frost date for Waycross, GA (ZIP code 31501) is around March 15. 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 18; one in ten it runs past April 5.
What is the first fall frost date in Waycross, GA?
The median first fall frost date for Waycross, GA is around November 20. 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 1 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Waycross, GA?
The frost-free growing season in Waycross is about 250 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 Waycross (250 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 Waycross, GA?
Waycross, 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 Waycross, GA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 8 and plant out Mar 29 in Waycross. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Waycross?
Two: plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 27.
When do I plant garlic in Waycross?
Nov 20 to Dec 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Waycross?
Yes: plant out Mar 29 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 21 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Douglas (ZIP 31533) has 267 frost-free days, 17 more than Waycross (ZIP 31501). See Douglas ZIP 31533 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Waycross, GA 31503 (4.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Blackshear, GA 31516 (7.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Douglas, GA 31533 (36.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Jesup, GA 31545 (37.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Baxley, GA 31513 (38 mi)
- When to plant in GA
- When to plant Peppers in GA
- When to plant Cucumbers in GA
- When to plant Zucchini in GA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in GA
- When to plant Basil in GA
- When to plant Sweet Corn in GA
- Look up another ZIP