Georgia’s planting zones run from about USDA zone 7 in the North Georgia mountains to zone 9a in far South Georgia and along the coast. Under the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, metro Atlanta is mostly zone 8a (with some 7b), Middle Georgia is mostly 8a to 8b, and much of South Georgia moved up to 9a. Look up your ZIP code on the USDA map for your exact zone.
This guide explains what the zones mean, how they changed in 2023, typical frost dates by region, and what to plant when in a Georgia garden.
Georgia Planting Zones at a Glance
| Region | Approximate 2023 zone | Average coldest winter low | Typical last spring frost | Typical first fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Georgia mountains | 7a–7b | 0°F to 10°F | Mid to late April | Mid October |
| Metro Atlanta and the Piedmont | 7b–8a | 5°F to 15°F | Late March to early April | Late October to early November |
| Middle Georgia (Macon, Augusta, Columbus) | 8a–8b | 10°F to 20°F | Mid to late March | Early to mid November |
| South Georgia and the coast (Savannah, Valdosta) | 8b–9a | 15°F to 25°F | Late February to mid March | Late November to early December |
Frost dates are averages and vary by elevation and microclimate. Valleys, low spots and rural areas often frost later in spring than nearby towns. Check with your county UGA Extension office or a local weather station history for dates closer to home.
What Is a Planting Zone?
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map divides the country into zones based on the average coldest winter temperature of a location, measured over 30 years. Each zone covers a 10°F range, and each is split into “a” (colder) and “b” (warmer) halves of 5°F each.
Zones tell you which perennials, shrubs and trees are likely to survive your winters. They do not tell you about summer heat, humidity, rainfall or soil, which matter just as much in Georgia. A plant rated for zones 5 to 8 may survive Georgia winters but still struggle in South Georgia summers.
How Georgia’s Zones Changed in 2023
The 2023 USDA map, based on 1991–2020 weather data, shifted much of Georgia about half a zone warmer than the 2012 map:
- Many areas of South Georgia moved from 8b to 9a.
- Much of Middle Georgia moved from 8a to 8b.
- Parts of North Georgia moved from 7b to 8a.
- No part of the state moved to a colder zone.
That does not mean you can ignore cold snaps. The map shows averages, and hard freezes still happen. When choosing borderline plants such as palms, citrus or tender perennials, many gardeners pick plants rated for one zone colder than their own.
How to Find Your Exact Zone
- Go to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map website.
- Enter your ZIP code.
- Note the zone and half-zone (for example, 8a).
- Look at your yard’s microclimates: south-facing walls and urban areas run warmer; low spots and open hilltops run colder.
Factors Beyond the Zone Map
- Summer heat and humidity: long, humid summers favor heat-tolerant varieties and increase fungal disease.
- Soil: North and Middle Georgia often have red clay; South Georgia and the coast are sandier. A soil test through UGA Extension tells you pH and nutrient needs.
- Chill hours: fruit trees such as peaches, apples and blueberries need a certain number of winter hours below about 45°F to fruit well. Choose low-chill varieties in South Georgia.
- Rainfall: heavy downpours and summer dry spells both occur; mulch and drip irrigation help.
- Elevation: the mountains can be much colder than the zone map suggests at higher elevations.
Georgia Vegetable Planting Calendar
Georgia has two main vegetable seasons: cool-season crops in spring and fall, and warm-season crops through summer. Use these as general windows and shift them a couple of weeks later in North Georgia and earlier in South Georgia.
| Crop | Season | When to plant (Middle Georgia guide) |
|---|---|---|
| Lettuce, spinach, kale, collards | Cool | Late February to March, and again late August to September |
| Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower (transplants) | Cool | Late February to March, and August to September |
| Onions (sets or transplants) | Cool | Late winter for spring; short-day types are planted in fall to winter in South Georgia |
| Garlic | Cool | October to November |
| Peas | Cool | February to early March |
| Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (transplants) | Warm | After last frost, about April; a second tomato planting in midsummer for fall harvest |
| Beans, squash, cucumbers | Warm | April to May, and again in late July to August |
| Okra, southern peas, sweet potatoes | Hot | May to June, once soil is warm |
For crop-specific guides, see growing tomatoes, growing spinach and growing onions in containers. In midsummer heat, Malabar spinach is a useful heat-loving substitute for true spinach.
Plants That Grow Well in Georgia
| Category | Good choices |
|---|---|
| Fruit | Low- to medium-chill peaches, rabbiteye blueberries, muscadine grapes, figs, pecans (large lots) |
| Herbs | Rosemary, oregano, thyme, sage, basil (summer), parsley and cilantro (cool seasons) |
| Shrubs | Azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas, gardenias, native oakleaf hydrangea, American beautyberry |
| Perennials | Coneflower, black-eyed Susan, salvia, daylily, lantana (warmer zones) |
| Trees | Southern magnolia, red maple, dogwood, crape myrtle, live oak (coastal and southern areas) |
Rabbiteye blueberries are especially well suited to Georgia; our guide to growing rabbiteye blueberries covers variety selection and care. For stone fruit, see how to grow peaches and planting a fig tree.
Tips for Gardening Success in Georgia
- Plant trees and shrubs in fall. Cool air and warm soil help roots establish before summer.
- Amend clay soil with compost across the whole bed, and plant slightly high for drainage.
- Mulch 2 to 3 inches with pine straw or bark to hold moisture and moderate soil temperature.
- Choose disease-resistant varieties, especially tomatoes, to cope with humidity.
- Water deeply in the morning rather than lightly every day.
- Plan two vegetable seasons. Fall gardens often do better than spring ones because of fewer pests and milder weather.
Planning beds? Our vegetable garden layout guide shows how to arrange crops for sun and access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What planting zone is Atlanta, Georgia?
Under the 2023 USDA map, most of metro Atlanta is zone 8a, with some cooler outlying areas in 7b. Check your ZIP code for your exact zone.
What zone is Savannah, Georgia?
Savannah and much of coastal Georgia fall in the warmer half of zone 8 to zone 9a. Coastal areas are moderated by the ocean and usually have a longer growing season than inland areas at the same latitude.
When is the last frost in Georgia?
It ranges from late February or early March in South Georgia to mid or late April in the mountains. Metro Atlanta’s average last frost is typically late March to early April.
Can I grow citrus in Georgia?
Cold-hardy citrus such as satsumas and kumquats can be grown in South Georgia and coastal areas, usually with frost protection during hard freezes. Elsewhere, grow citrus in containers and move them indoors in winter.
Did Georgia’s planting zones change?
Yes. The 2023 USDA map moved much of Georgia about half a zone warmer than the 2012 map, based on newer temperature data. No part of the state moved colder.
The Bottom Line
Georgia spans roughly zones 7 to 9a, getting warmer from the mountains to the south and coast. Use your ZIP-code zone to choose perennials, trees and shrubs, but also plan for summer heat, humidity, soil type and chill hours. Plant cool-season crops in spring and fall, warm-season crops after the last frost, and trees in fall for the best results.
