Georgia planting calendar and crop cost per acre

When to put transplants or seed in the ground across Georgia, what published University of Georgia budgets say it costs to grow an acre of the crops we have numbers for, and what to line up before you commit ground. Written for farms that sell what they grow.

Your zone in Georgia: frost dates

Zones 7a–9a run through Georgia. Frost dates are long-term averages for planning, not a forecast for your field.

  • Zone 7a
    North Georgia mountains
    Last frost
    ~April 15
    First frost
    ~October 15
    Frost-free days
    183
    Winter low
    0°F to 5°F
  • Zone 7b
    Northwest Georgia valleys
    Last frost
    ~April 8
    First frost
    ~October 22
    Frost-free days
    197
    Winter low
    5°F to 10°F
  • Zone 8a
    Atlanta and the piedmont
    Last frost
    ~March 28
    First frost
    ~November 5
    Frost-free days
    222
    Winter low
    10°F to 15°F
  • Zone 8b
    Savannah and the coastal plain
    Last frost
    ~March 15
    First frost
    ~November 15
    Frost-free days
    245
    Winter low
    15°F to 20°F
  • Zone 9a
    Southern Georgia coast
    Last frost
    ~February 25
    First frost
    ~December 1
    Frost-free days
    279
    Winter low
    20°F to 25°F

What it costs to grow an acre in Georgia

Every number below is transcribed from a published land-grant enterprise budget for Georgia. Operating cost is what it takes to grow and harvest the crop; ownership cost is machinery, land and overhead. Multiply by your acres to size the cash you need before the first sale.

Every figure is transcribed from a published land-grant enterprise budget for that state. These are planning budgets built from grower panels and dealer quotes, not surveys of what farms actually spent — your invoices override them everywhere they exist.

When to plant Georgia's main crops

Calculated for Zone 8a (Atlanta and the piedmont). Pick your own zone on the crop page.

What zone is my farm?

  • AtlantaZone 8a
  • SavannahZone 8b
  • Southern Georgia coastZone 9a
  • North Georgia mountainsZone 7a

If your farm sits in a zone that is not listed here, start from the calendar index and pick the closest match, then confirm with your county extension office.

Before you commit ground

A planting date tells you when a crop can grow — not whether it pays. Work out your breakeven price, then line up who is buying before you plant.

Cost and profit per acre →Free farm calculators →Pricing and buyer contracts →Crop marketplace →Grant deadlines →

Georgia planting and cost questions

What USDA planting zone is Atlanta, Georgia?
The calendar carries Atlanta in Zone 8a. Average last spring frost is around March 28 and average first fall frost around November 5, which is about 222 frost-free days.
What USDA planting zone is Savannah, Georgia?
The calendar carries Savannah in Zone 8b. Average last spring frost is around March 15 and average first fall frost around November 15, which is about 245 frost-free days.
How much does it cost to grow bell pepper (on plastic) per acre in Georgia?
The University of Georgia CAES — Agricultural & Applied Economics 2026 budget puts operating cost at $19,423 per acre, with $1,558 per acre of ownership cost, assuming 1,500 carton per acre at $15.00 per carton. That is a published planning budget, not a quote for your farm.
When should I plant peppers in Georgia?
In Zone 8a (Atlanta and the piedmont), April 11 – May 2 june 27 – july 25
Will my farm spend what these Georgia budgets say?
Every figure is transcribed from a published land-grant enterprise budget for that state. These are planning budgets built from grower panels and dealer quotes, not surveys of what farms actually spent — your invoices override them everywhere they exist.

Other state pages

Dates are calculated from average first and last frost dates for each zone. Your microclimate, elevation and soil temperature can shift any window by a week or more — treat these as starting points and keep your own records.