Forest Park, GA planting zone & frost dates
Forest Park is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 15 and the first fall frost around November 20, for a growing season of about 252 days.
Planting calendar for Forest Park
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 15) 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 18 – Feb 1 Transplant outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 Transplant outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 Transplant outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 Transplant outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 25 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 20).
Useful for zone 8b 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 | Feb 23 | Mar 15 | Apr 4 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 10 | Nov 20 | Nov 4 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 4, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 4. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 28.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Forest Park
- 30297 zone 8b
- 30298 zone 8b
Nearby cities
- Riverdale zone 8b, last frost Mar 15
- College Park zone 8b, last frost Mar 15
- East Point zone 8a, last frost Mar 15
- Atlanta zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
- Candler-McAfee zone 8a, last frost Mar 25
- Stockbridge zone 8a, last frost Mar 25
- Druid Hills zone 8a, last frost Mar 25
- Belvedere Park zone 8a, last frost Mar 25
Questions
What growing zone is Forest Park, GA?
Forest Park is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Forest Park?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Forest Park is March 15. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 4.
When can I plant tomatoes in Forest Park?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 22 – Mar 29. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Atlanta Hartsfield Intl Ap, GA (USW00013874), 6.8 km (4.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 308 m, based on 29 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.