When to plant in Georgia
Georgia spans USDA hardiness zones 6b-9a. Average last spring frost: late March. Average first fall frost: early November. This calendar is anchored to UGA Extension's recommendations, with timing adjusted for the dominant climate zone of the state.
Georgia at a glance
| USDA hardiness zones | 6b-9a |
| Region | Southeast |
| Average last spring frost | late March |
| Average first fall frost | early November |
| Primary Extension service | UGA Extension |
What grows particularly well in Georgia
These are the crops, ornamentals, and trees UGA Extension highlights as well-suited to Georgia's climate:
- peach
- blueberry
- okra
- sweet potato
- azalea
- crepe myrtle
- muscadine
Georgia planting calendar
Dates are approximate and based on the dominant USDA zone for the state. For zone-specific timing, use the zone finder by ZIP code and frost date lookup tools.
Spring planting (after last frost: late March)
Cool-season vegetables (start 2-6 weeks before last frost outdoors): lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes, carrots, beets, kale, broccoli transplants, cabbage transplants.
Warm-season vegetables (after last frost, soil 60F+): tomato transplants, pepper transplants, beans (direct sow), cucumbers, squash, melons. See the seed starting timeline tool for indoor start dates.
Annual flowers (after last frost): zinnia, marigold, cosmos, sunflower, nasturtium.
Perennials, shrubs, trees: Plant in spring after soil thaws but before summer heat. Best window in Georgia: 4-6 weeks after last frost.
Summer (June - August)
Maintenance season for most Georgia gardens. Mulch heavily, water deeply (1 inch per week), pinch back mums for fall bloom, hand-pull weeds, harvest summer vegetables. Plant fall vegetable starts indoors by mid-July.
Fall planting (before first frost: early November)
Cool-season vegetables (6-8 weeks before first frost): lettuce, spinach, radish, kale, broccoli, cabbage transplants. Per Penn State Extension, fall vegetable production can equal or exceed spring production with proper timing.
Spring-flowering bulbs: tulip, daffodil, allium, crocus, hyacinth. Plant 4-6 weeks before ground freezes. In Georgia: typically October-November.
Perennials, shrubs, trees: Fall is the best planting season for woody plants in most of Georgia - cooler temperatures + autumn rains reduce transplant stress. Plant 6+ weeks before first hard freeze.
Garlic: Plant cloves in October-November. Harvest the following July.
Winter (December - February)
Most of Georgia is in dormancy. Tasks: order seeds, plan next year, dormant prune fruit trees (February), order bare-root plants for spring delivery. Avoid foot traffic on frozen lawns.
Common Georgia challenges
Humidity favors fungal disease; red Georgia clay; deer in suburbs; pine pollen season; kudzu and other invasives. For region-specific guidance, see our Southeast regional gardening guide.
Where to get Georgia-specific advice
The most reliable source for local growing advice is your county Extension office. UGA Extension has county offices that provide free soil testing, plant disease diagnosis, and growing recommendations specific to your microclimate.
Visit UGA Extension for the office nearest you.
Related tools and guides
- Find your USDA zone by ZIP code
- Look up your average frost dates
- Seasonal care calendar by zone
- Seed starting timeline calculator
- Southeast regional gardening guide