Q: How deep does the ground freeze in Georgia? This has a great bearing on what I can and can’t grow and also on what the depth of my irrigation pipes must be.

A: Theresa Schrum replies in February 2005:

“Guess what? The ground doesn’t freeze……. at least not in your location. Welcome to the South!

“I have a very accurate soil thermometer which during the coldest temperatures in January never dropped below freezing at the 3-inch depth. At one inch deep, it dipped below freezing only for a day or two.

“Here is a web site that you can link to monitor soil temperature levels:”

Soil Temperature Monitor