State growing guide
Georgia Planting Guide
USDA Zone 7b/8a · Last frost Mar 10 · First frost Nov 22 · 256 days
Zone-specific planting calendar, major city frost dates, top crops, and Duke's tips for growing food in Georgia.
Frost Dates by City — Georgia
Average frost dates for major Georgia cities. Use these to calculate your indoor start dates and transplant windows.
| City | USDA Zone | Last Spring Frost | First Fall Frost | Tomato Transplant Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 7b | Mar 20 | Nov 20 | ~2 wks after (Mar 20) |
| Savannah | 8b | Feb 15 | Dec 10 | ~2 wks after (Feb 15) |
| Augusta | 8a | Mar 1 | Nov 25 | ~2 wks after (Mar 1) |
| Columbus | 8a | Mar 1 | Nov 25 | ~2 wks after (Mar 1) |
| Macon | 8a | Mar 1 | Nov 25 | ~2 wks after (Mar 1) |
| Gainesville | 7a | Apr 1 | Nov 5 | ~2 wks after (Apr 1) |
Average dates based on 30-year NOAA climate normals. Individual years may vary ±2 weeks. Use the Zone Lookup Tool for ZIP-specific dates.
Duke's Top Tips for Georgia Gardeners
- Atlanta gardeners transplant tomatoes mid-March to early April
- Savannah and coastal Georgia can transplant 3 weeks earlier than Atlanta
- Georgia heat demands tomato varieties that set fruit above 90°F — try Heatmaster
- Plant a fall garden in August — Georgia falls are long and productive
Common Challenges in Georgia
- ⚠ High humidity means fungal disease pressure is year-round
- ⚠ Late blight in tomatoes is chronic — spray copper fungicide preventatively
- ⚠ Stink bugs increased dramatically since 2010 and are hard to control organically
Best Crops for Georgia
Get exact dates for your ZIP code in Georgia
City averages are a starting point. Your actual microclimate matters — enter your ZIP for precise frost dates.
Frequently Asked Questions — Georgia Gardening
What zone is Georgia?
Georgia spans Zones 6b (North Georgia mountains) to 8b (coastal Savannah area). Atlanta is Zone 7b, Augusta and Macon are Zone 8a, and the Golden Isles are Zone 8b.
When to plant tomatoes in Georgia?
In Atlanta (Zone 7b), transplant tomatoes in late March to early April. In south Georgia and the coast (Zone 8a–8b), you can plant in mid-to-late February.