Fall in zone 8aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 30581 (Rabun County, 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, Clayton 1 SSW, GA (7 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 1050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)203 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8a10 to 15°F avg. coldest night
Get The Dial for 30581
Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 30581, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- 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.
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
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
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 30581 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring mid-February to early March; fall September to early October.
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 26 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
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 29: 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 24 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 10 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 1 |
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 15 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 29 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 12 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 24 | Oct 20 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 10 | Oct 29 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 28 | Nov 8 |
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 30581
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Oct 29). 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 13–27 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 13–27 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 13–27 | Mar 20–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 13–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–24 (transplant) Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 27–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–24 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 13–27 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) Jul 23–Aug 20 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 13–27 | Mar 13–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 13–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) Jul 23–Aug 20 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 16–30 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 9–30 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 13–27 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 13–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 13–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 27–Mar 13 | Mar 27–Apr 17 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 13–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 6–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 13–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 20–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 13–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 16–30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 27–Mar 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 16–30 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 17–Oct 15 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | Sep 17–Oct 15 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 9–23 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 13–20 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 13–20 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 13–20 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 13–20 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 13–20 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 27–Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 16–30 | Apr 17–24 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 27–Mar 13 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 27–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (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 April 10 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Clayton 1 SSW, GA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00091982), elevation 1,965 ft, 6.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mtn City 2 SW, GA | 8 mi | Apr 18 | Oct 25 |
| Germany Valley, GA | 8 mi | Apr 10 | Oct 26 |
| Long Creek, SC | 10 mi | Apr 9 | Oct 29 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 9 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 30581
When is the last frost in 30581?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 30581 is April 10. For a more cautious planting date, use May 1, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 30581?
The average first fall freeze is October 29. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 15.
What hardiness zone is 30581?
ZIP 30581 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 30581 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
30552 30576 Tiger 30573 Tallulah Falls 29658 Longcreek 30525 Clayton 30562 Mountain City 30523 Tallulah Falls 30568
Other ZIP codes in Rabun County
30525 30537 30552 30562 30568 30573 30576 All Rabun County frost dates · Georgia frost dates
Never miss a frost: get The Dial
Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- 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.