Fall in zone 8aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 30542 (Flowery Branch, 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, Gainesville Gilmer AP, GA (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)239 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 (34 mi), Watkinsville 5 SSE (41 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 (34 mi), Watkinsville 5 SSE (41 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 30542 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 5 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 14: 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 1 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 20 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 6 |
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 31 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 14 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 4 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 3 | Nov 3 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 20 | Nov 14 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 7 | Nov 30 |
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 30542
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 20) and first fall frost (Nov 14). 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 | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 9–23 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 9–23 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Feb 27–Mar 20 (transplant) Feb 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 10 (transplant) Sep 5–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 19 (transplant) Aug 8–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Feb 20–Mar 20 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 19 (transplant) Aug 8–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 9–23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 9–23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 9–23 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 17 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 20–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 6–20 | Mar 6–27 (transplant) Mar 6–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 27–Mar 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 13–Mar 27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 3–17 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 20–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 27–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 3–31 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Oct 3–31 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 10–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 20–27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 20–27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 20–27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 20–27 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) Apr 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 20–27 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) Apr 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 6–20 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) Apr 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 6–20 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 6–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 9–23 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | Sep 5–Oct 3 (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 20 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Gainesville Gilmer AP, GA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00053838), elevation 1,275 ft, 7.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville, GA | 9 mi | Mar 27 | Nov 12 |
| Cumming 2N, GA | 13 mi | Apr 4 | Nov 4 |
| Winder 4S, GA | 20 mi | Apr 3 | Nov 7 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 15 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 30542
When is the last frost in 30542?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 30542 is March 20. For a more cautious planting date, use April 6, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 30542?
The average first fall freeze is November 14. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 31.
What hardiness zone is 30542?
ZIP 30542 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 30542 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
30566 Oakwood 30504 Gainesville 30519 Buford 30518 Buford 30517 Braselton 30507 Gainesville 30548 Hoschton 30041
Other ZIP codes in Hall County
30501 30504 30506 30507 30527 30543 30554 30564 30566 All Hall 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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- Weekly yard to-dos
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.