Fall in zone 8aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 30038 (Stonecrest, GA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Mcdonough 5 ENE, GA (14 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 3150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)220 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8a10 to 15°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
70°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 66°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Watkinsville #1 (43 mi), Watkinsville 5 SSE (44 mi).
4-inch depth
70°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 68°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Watkinsville #1 (43 mi), Watkinsville 5 SSE (44 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 30038 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 70°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Southeast (warm, humid). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Centipedegrass (warm-season): Spring: Not before mid-May (NC State); after full green-up (about May 16 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Optional mid-summer feeding, especially on sandy coastal soils. Avoid: Early-spring feeding, frequent feeding and liming unless a soil test calls for it (centipede decline).
Plant now
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 6: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Mar 8 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 31 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 16 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 24 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 6 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 24 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 11 | Oct 27 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 16 | Nov 17 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 30038
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 6). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 3–17 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jul 10–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Feb 3–17 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 3–17 | Mar 10–31 (transplant) Mar 3–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–Oct 2 (transplant) Aug 28–Sep 25 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 17–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 3–17 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) Jul 31–Aug 28 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 3–17 | Mar 3–31 (transplant) Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) Jul 31–Aug 28 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 6–20 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 3–17 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 17–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 10–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 6–20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 6–20 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 17–31 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 21–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 3–10 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 3–10 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Mar 3–10 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 3–10 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 3–10 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 6–20 | Apr 7–14 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Georgia has a university or garden plant program: Georgia Gold Medal Plants (ended 2017). Plant frost-tender annuals after March 31 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Mcdonough 5 ENE, GA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00095666), elevation 708 ft, 14.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro, GA | 15 mi | Mar 25 | Nov 12 |
| Atlanta Peachtree AP, GA | 17 mi | Mar 25 | Nov 9 |
| Atlanta Hartsfield Intl AP, GA | 18 mi | Mar 15 | Nov 20 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 16 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 30038
When is the last frost in 30038?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 30038 is March 31. For a more cautious planting date, use April 16, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 30038?
The average first fall freeze is November 6. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 24.
What hardiness zone is 30038?
ZIP 30038 is in USDA zone 8a (10 to 15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 30038 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
30058 Stonecrest 30035 Stonecrest 30094 Conyers 30034 Panthersville 30088 Redan 30294 Forest Park 30281 Stockbridge 30012 Conyers
Other ZIP codes in DeKalb County
30002 30021 30030 30032 30033 30034 30035 30058 30072 30079 30083 30084 30087 30088 30288 30294 30307 30316 30317 30319 30322 30329 30338 30340 All DeKalb County frost dates · Georgia frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.