Atlanta, GA Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Atlanta

No planting windows from our rules fall in October; see the month-by-month list below.

The list above is for the month this page was built; the box is refreshed in your browser for today's date.

Spring planting dates

“Plant out” means transplanting for crops started indoors and sowing or planting directly in the garden for the others. Each column applies CSU Extension's timing rule to a different last-frost anchor: aggressive = typical date (Mar 24, 50% risk), balanced = Mar 31 (30%), safe = Apr 10 (10%). For hardy crops the cell shows the CSU “as early as” window.

Before sowing, check the soil too. CSU recommends taking its temperature at 4 inches (6 inches for beans). Since NOAA publishes no soil-temperature normals, we give CSU's minimum soil temperature for each crop rather than a date.

Fall planting dates

Latest dates for a fall harvest, using the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension count-back formula: days to harvest (CSU) + 14-day fall factor + 14-day frost-tender factor for frost-sensitive crops, counted back from the first-frost date. For transplanted crops (CSU days are from transplant) the result is the latest transplant date; seeds go in CSU's transplant-age weeks earlier. We add no harvest period, so these dates give you a first harvest by the first frost, not a long harvest.

Month-by-month: what to plant in Atlanta

What to plant in Atlanta in January

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Jan 13–27)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Jan 13–27)
• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Jan 27 – Feb 10)

What to plant in Atlanta in February

• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Feb 10 – Mar 3)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Feb 17 – Mar 3)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Jan 27 – Feb 10)

What to plant in Atlanta in March

• Start tomato seeds indoors (Mar 8–22)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Mar 10 – Apr 10)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Mar 10 – Apr 10)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Mar 10 – Apr 10)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Mar 10 – Apr 10)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Mar 10 – Apr 10)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 10 – Apr 10)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Mar 24 – Apr 10)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 24 – Apr 10)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Mar 24 – Apr 10)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Mar 24 – Apr 10)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Feb 10 – Mar 3)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Feb 17 – Mar 3)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 24 – Mar 27)

What to plant in Atlanta in April

• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Apr 7–24)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Apr 7–24)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Apr 7–24)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Apr 7–24)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Apr 7–24)
• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (Apr 26)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Mar 10 – Apr 10)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Mar 10 – Apr 10)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Mar 10 – Apr 10)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Mar 10 – Apr 10)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Mar 10 – Apr 10)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 10 – Apr 10)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Mar 24 – Apr 10)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 24 – Apr 10)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Mar 24 – Apr 10)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Mar 24 – Apr 10)

What to plant in Atlanta in June

• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 13–27)

What to plant in Atlanta in July

• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 3–17)

What to plant in Atlanta in August

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 1)
• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Aug 12)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Aug 16)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Aug 17)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Aug 21)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 21)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Aug 22)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Aug 26)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Aug 26)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Aug 26)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Aug 26)

What to plant in Atlanta in September

• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Sep 5)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Sep 5)
• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Sep 15)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Sep 25)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Atlanta

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rules are to set tomatoes out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost and only once nights are above 52°F. In Atlanta, the frost rule alone would allow about Apr 7, but the average nightly low at Atlanta Fulton Co. Airport isn't above 52°F until Apr 26, so the night rule sets the date at every risk level: about Apr 26. Start seeds indoors Mar 8–22, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on Apr 26. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At Atlanta Fulton Co. Airport, the normal low reaches 55°F on May 6. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for tomato plants is 65 days. Set out on Apr 26, they would start producing around Jun 30, 131 days before the typical first frost (Nov 8).

When to plant peppers in Atlanta

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to set peppers out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Apr 7 using the typical date, Apr 14 as a balanced choice, or Apr 24 if you go by the safer 10% date. Start seeds indoors Feb 17 – Mar 3, 6–8 weeks before transplanting on Apr 14. Fruit set suffers when nights drop below 55°F (CSU). The normal low at Atlanta Fulton Co. Airport reaches 55°F on May 6. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for pepper plants is 70 days. Set out on Apr 14, they would start producing around Jun 23, 138 days before the typical first frost (Nov 8).

When to plant potatoes in Atlanta

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting potatoes as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 45°F or warmer. For Atlanta, that's roughly Mar 10–24 by the typical date or Mar 27 – Apr 10 by the safer date.

When to plant onions (dry, from sets) in Atlanta

Hardy crop. CSU says onions (dry, from sets) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Atlanta, that's roughly Feb 24 – Mar 10 going by the typical date, or Mar 13–27 going by the safer date.

When to plant peas in Atlanta

Hardy crop. CSU says peas can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 24 – Mar 10 in Atlanta using the typical date, or Mar 13–27 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 21, or by Aug 9 to be safe. That's 79 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Atlanta

Hardy crop. CSU says lettuce (leaf) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Atlanta, that's roughly Feb 24 – Mar 10 going by the typical date, or Mar 13–27 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 26, or by Aug 14 to be safe.

When to plant carrots in Atlanta

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, carrots can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 10–24 in Atlanta (typical date) or Mar 27 – Apr 10 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 16, or by Aug 4 to be safe. That's 84 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beans (snap) in Atlanta

Tender crop. CSU says to sow beans (snap) around the average last frost, about Mar 24 in Atlanta. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Apr 10. Seeds need soil of at least 55°F. For fall, sow by Aug 12 (Jul 31 to be safe), which is 88 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant summer squash in Atlanta

Tender crop. CSU says to sow summer squash around the average last frost, about Mar 24 in Atlanta. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Apr 10. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For fall, count back 78 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 22, or by Aug 10 to be safe.

When to plant broccoli in Atlanta

Hardy crop. CSU says broccoli can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Atlanta, that's roughly Feb 24 – Mar 10 going by the typical date, or Mar 13–27 going by the safer date. Using CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest, broccoli plants set out on Mar 3 would start producing around May 7. That's 185 days before the typical first frost (Nov 8). Fall broccoli: set transplants out by Aug 21. The date counts back from the typical first frost (Nov 8) by UNL Extension's method, using CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest. Home-grown transplants need seeds started Jul 3–17 (CSU: 5–7 weeks).

When to plant cabbage in Atlanta

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Atlanta, that's roughly Feb 24 – Mar 10 going by the typical date, or Mar 13–27 going by the safer date. Set out on Mar 3, cabbage plants would start producing around May 27, based on CSU's typical 85 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 165 days before the typical first frost (Nov 8). Fall cabbage: set transplants out by Aug 1. The date counts back from the typical first frost (Nov 8) by UNL Extension's method, using CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest. Home-grown transplants need seeds started Jun 13–27 (CSU: 5–7 weeks).

When to plant cauliflower in Atlanta

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, cauliflower can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 10–24 in Atlanta (typical date) or Mar 27 – Apr 10 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F.

When to plant kohlrabi in Atlanta

Hardy crop. CSU says kohlrabi can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Atlanta, that's roughly Feb 24 – Mar 10 going by the typical date, or Mar 13–27 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Sep 5 (Aug 24 to be safe), which is 64 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant green onions in Atlanta

Hardy crop. CSU says green onions can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Atlanta, that's roughly Feb 24 – Mar 10 going by the typical date, or Mar 13–27 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 26, or by Aug 14 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant radishes in Atlanta

Hardy crop. Per CSU, radishes can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Atlanta, that works out to roughly Feb 24 – Mar 10 (typical date) or Mar 13–27 (safer date). For a fall crop, sow by Sep 25, or by Sep 13 to be safe. That's 44 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant spinach in Atlanta

Hardy crop. CSU says spinach can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Atlanta, that's roughly Feb 24 – Mar 10 going by the typical date, or Mar 13–27 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 15, or by Sep 3 to be safe. That's 54 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in Atlanta

Hardy crop. CSU says turnips can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 24 – Mar 10 in Atlanta using the typical date, or Mar 13–27 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 5, or by Aug 24 to be safe. That's 64 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beets in Atlanta

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting beets as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For Atlanta, that's roughly Mar 10–24 by the typical date or Mar 27 – Apr 10 by the safer date. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 26, or by Aug 14 to be safe.

When to plant swiss chard in Atlanta

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, swiss chard can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 10–24 in Atlanta (typical date) or Mar 27 – Apr 10 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 26, or by Aug 14 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant parsnips in Atlanta

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says parsnips can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 35°F. In Atlanta, that's roughly Mar 10–24 going by the typical date, or Mar 27 – Apr 10 going by the safer date.

When to plant sweet corn in Atlanta

Tender crop. Sow sweet corn around the average last frost, per CSU: about Mar 24 in Atlanta. Waiting until Apr 10 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 50°F.

When to plant cucumbers in Atlanta

Tender crop. CSU says to sow cucumbers around the average last frost, about Mar 24 in Atlanta. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Apr 10. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 17, or by Aug 5 to be safe. That's 83 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant eggplant in Atlanta

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule (2+ weeks after the average last frost), set eggplant out around Apr 7 with the typical date, Apr 14 for a balanced choice, or Apr 24 with the safer 10% date. Sow seeds indoors Feb 10 – Mar 3, 6–9 weeks before transplanting on Apr 14. Using CSU's typical 60 days from transplant to harvest, eggplant plants set out on Apr 14 would start producing around Jun 13. That's 148 days before the typical first frost (Nov 8).

When to plant cantaloupe in Atlanta

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant cantaloupe at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Apr 7 using the typical date, Apr 14 as a balanced choice, or Apr 24 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Atlanta

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant watermelon 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about Apr 7 (typical date), Apr 14 (balanced) or Apr 24 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Atlanta

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule of 2+ weeks after the average last frost, plant winter squash around Apr 7 at the earliest, Apr 14 as a balanced choice, or Apr 24 to be safe. CSU's minimum soil temperature is 60°F.

How these dates are calculated

CSU states its spring rules relative to “the average last spring frost.” We use the 50% date as that average and also show the 30% and 10% anchors. See the methodology for details and limitations.

FAQ

When should I start seeds indoors in Atlanta?

Sow tomatoes indoors Mar 8–22 and peppers Feb 17 – Mar 3. We work back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Atlanta?

Set tomatoes out about Apr 26. The date is the same at every risk level. CSU's rule of 2+ weeks after the average last frost would allow about Apr 7 here, but CSU also wants nights above 52°F, and the average nightly low at Atlanta Fulton Co. Airport isn't above that until Apr 26.

What can I plant in Atlanta in the fall?

These sowing deadlines count back from the typical first frost (Nov 8) using UNL Extension's method: peas by Aug 21; lettuce (leaf) by Aug 26; carrots by Aug 16; beans (snap) by Aug 12; summer squash by Aug 22; broccoli by Aug 21 (transplants); cabbage by Aug 1 (transplants); kohlrabi by Sep 5; green onions by Aug 26; radishes by Sep 25; spinach by Sep 15; turnips by Sep 5; beets by Aug 26; swiss chard by Aug 26; cucumbers by Aug 17.

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