When to plant in Athens-Clarke County, GA
USDA Zone 8bAthens-Clarke County, Georgia frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 8b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Athens-Clarke County, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
ATHENS BEN EPPS AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Athens-Clarke County’s own odds, recorded at ATHENS BEN EPPS AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 21 | Apr 5 | Mar 18 | Oct 19 | Oct 31 | Nov 14 |
| 32°F | Apr 10 | Mar 23 | Mar 2 | Oct 28 | Nov 10 | Nov 27 |
| 28°F | Mar 27 | Mar 9 | Feb 13 | Nov 7 | Nov 25 | Dec 19 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Athens-Clarke County, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 18 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Athens-Clarke County planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
On average, the last spring frost in Athens-Clarke County is around March 23 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Expect Athens-Clarke County's first fall frost near November 10 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Athens-Clarke County in?
Athens-Clarke County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Athens-Clarke County?
There are roughly 232 frost-free days in Athens-Clarke County (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 23 to the first fall frost near November 10.
When should I plant tomatoes in Athens-Clarke County?
In Athens-Clarke County, start tomato seeds indoors around January 26–February 9, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 30 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Athens-Clarke County
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Athens-Clarke County’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Jefferson · 30 km
- Winder · 33 km
- Monroe · 36 km
- Braselton · 44 km
- Loganville · 50 km
- Flowery Branch · 56 km
- Gainesville · 57 km
- Lawrenceville · 57 km
Frost dates recorded at ATHENS BEN EPPS AP, 4 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Athens-Clarke County, GA — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00013873. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/georgia/athens-clarke-county.