Atlanta, GA planting zone & frost dates
Atlanta is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 24 and the first fall frost around November 8, for a growing season of about 231 days.
Planting calendar for Atlanta
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 24) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Jan 27 – Feb 10 Transplant outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 13 – Jan 27 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 13 – Jan 27 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 13 – Jan 27 Transplant outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 13 – Jan 27 Transplant outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 Transplant outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 13 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 8).
Useful for zone 8a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 2 | Mar 24 | Apr 10 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 26 | Nov 8 | Oct 27 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 10, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 27. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 9.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Atlanta
- 30301 zone 8a
- 30302 zone 8a
- 30303 zone 8a
- 30304 zone 8b
- 30305 zone 8a
- 30306 zone 8a
- 30307 zone 8a
- 30308 zone 8a
- 30309 zone 8a
- 30310 zone 8a
- 30311 zone 8a
- 30312 zone 8a
- 30313 zone 8a
- 30314 zone 8a
- 30315 zone 8a
- 30316 zone 8a
- 30317 zone 8a
- 30318 zone 8a
- 30319 zone 8a
- 30321 zone 8b
- 30322 zone 8a
- 30324 zone 8a
- 30325 zone 8a
- 30326 zone 8a
- 30327 zone 8a
- 30328 zone 8a
- 30329 zone 8a
- 30331 zone 8a
- 30333 zone 8a
- 30336 zone 8a
- 30337 zone 8b
- 30338 zone 8a
- 30339 zone 8a
- 30340 zone 8a
- 30341 zone 8a
- 30342 zone 8a
- 30343 zone 8a
- 30344 zone 8a
- 30345 zone 8a
- 30346 zone 8a
- 30348 zone 8b
- 30349 zone 8a
- 30350 zone 8a
- 30353 zone 8a
- 30354 zone 8a
- 30355 zone 8a
- 30356 zone 8a
- 30357 zone 8a
- 30358 zone 8a
- 30359 zone 8a
- 30360 zone 8a
- 30361 zone 8a
- 30362 zone 8a
- 30363 zone 8a
- 30364 zone 8b
- 30366 zone 8a
- 30368 zone 8b
- 30369 zone 8a
- 30370 zone 8a
- 30371 zone 8a
- 30374 zone 8a
- 30375 zone 8a
- 30377 zone 8a
- 30378 zone 8a
- 30380 zone 8b
- 30384 zone 8a
- 30385 zone 8b
- 30388 zone 8b
- 30392 zone 8a
- 30394 zone 8b
- 30396 zone 8b
- 30398 zone 8b
- 31106 zone 8a
- 31107 zone 8a
- 31119 zone 8a
- 31126 zone 8a
- 31131 zone 8a
- 31136 zone 8a
- 31139 zone 8a
- 31141 zone 8a
- 31145 zone 8a
- 31146 zone 8a
- 31150 zone 8a
- 31156 zone 8a
- 31192 zone 8b
- 31193 zone 8a
- 31195 zone 8a
- 31196 zone 8a
- 39901 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Druid Hills zone 8a, last frost Mar 25
- East Point zone 8a, last frost Mar 15
- North Decatur zone 8a, last frost Mar 25
- Decatur zone 8a, last frost Mar 25
- North Druid Hills zone 8a, last frost Mar 25
- College Park zone 8b, last frost Mar 15
- Candler-McAfee zone 8a, last frost Mar 25
- Brookhaven zone 8a, last frost Mar 25
Questions
What growing zone is Atlanta, GA?
Atlanta is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 8b.
When is the last frost in Atlanta?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Atlanta is March 24. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in Atlanta?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 31 – Apr 7. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Atlanta Fulton Co Ap, GA (USW00003888), 12.8 km (7.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 256 m, based on 22 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.