When to plant zucchini / summer squash in Georgia
Georgia’s average last spring frost is March 25, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 5 — about 225 frost-free days (USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Zucchini / Summer Squash needs 45–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Georgia's growing season.
When to plant zucchini / summer squash in Georgia: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 25 – Apr 11, with seeds started indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Georgia: Apr 29 · May 27 · Jun 24 · Jul 22 · Aug 19
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow zucchini / summer squash in Georgia, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 25 – Mar 11). Sow seeds 1 inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 85°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 14 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Mar 25 – Apr 11). Space plants about 30 inches apart in rows 42 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: squash vine borer, squash bug, striped cucumber beetle, aphids. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, blossom-end rot (calcium disorder).
- Harvest (from about May 16 – May 31). Zucchini / Summer Squash takes 45-60 days to reach harvest. One or two plants feed a household. A second sowing in early-mid summer dodges the first vine borer generation.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Georgia’s average frost dates. More in the full zucchini / summer squash growing guide.
Zucchini planting dates by USDA zone in Georgia
Georgia spans USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the zucchini / summer squash dates shift with them.
When to plant zucchini / summer squash in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia (this page) | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| North Carolina | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| South Carolina | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| Tennessee | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Kentucky | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 5 |
Questions gardeners in Georgia ask
When is the best time to plant zucchini / summer squash in Georgia?
Plant zucchini / summer squash transplants outdoors in Georgia between March 25 and April 11. That timing is set by Georgia's average last spring frost of March 25.
When should I start zucchini / summer squash seeds indoors in Georgia?
Start seeds indoors between February 25 and March 11, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 25.
Can I plant zucchini / summer squash in the fall in Georgia?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 3 and August 20, so the crop matures in cool weather before Georgia's first frost around November 5.
When will zucchini / summer squash planted in Georgia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, zucchini / summer squash is usually ready from about May 16 to May 31, 45-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Georgia?
On average around March 25, with the first fall frost around November 5 - about 225 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.