Georgia’s diverse geography, stretching from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic coast, creates a wide range of microclimates that influence gardening success. Knowing what to plant and when requires adapting planting schedules to local climate factors. This timing is important to allow crops to mature before the intense heat of summer or the first freeze of winter.
Determining Your Planting Window (Zones and Timing)
Georgia’s climate spans multiple USDA Plant Hardiness Zones, generally from Zone 6a in the northern mountains to Zone 9a along the coast. A hardiness zone indicates the average annual minimum winter temperature, which determines which perennial plants can survive the winter. North Georgia is often in Zone 7, while Central Georgia (including Atlanta) falls into Zone 8a and 8b, with South Georgia reaching Zone 9a.
Gardeners should use their specific zone and local frost dates as primary indicators for planting. The average last frost date in spring signals when it is safe to plant frost-sensitive crops. This date varies significantly across the state, occurring in late April or early May in the North Georgia mountains and as early as late February or early March near the coast. Conversely, the average first frost date in the fall dictates the deadline for planting crops that need to mature before freezing temperatures arrive. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is a reliable resource for finding localized planting calendars and frost dates.
Cool Season Vegetables and Herbs
Cool-season crops thrive in lower temperatures, performing best when the soil temperature is below 70°F, and can often withstand light frost. They are typically planted in early spring for a harvest before summer heat, or in late summer for a fall and winter harvest. Planting them too late in the spring causes them to “bolt,” or prematurely go to seed, due to heat stress.
Leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, and loose-leaf lettuce, are excellent choices for the cooler shoulder seasons and benefit from being direct-seeded early in the year. Root vegetables like carrots, beets, and radishes also prefer the cool soil of early spring and late fall. This cool environment allows them to develop their best flavor and texture without the bitterness induced by high heat.
The Brassica family, which includes broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, are cool-season crops often started indoors as transplants and set out in late winter or early spring. Cold-hardy herbs like parsley and cilantro can also be planted early, as they tolerate cooler temperatures. For a fall harvest, these crops are planted in late summer, allowing them to mature as temperatures drop.
Warm Season Vegetables and Fruit
Warm-season crops are highly susceptible to frost damage and require consistently warm soil, typically above 70°F, to germinate and grow successfully. Planting should only occur well after the last spring frost date has passed and nighttime temperatures remain reliably mild. These classic summer staples require the long, hot growing season that much of Georgia provides.
The “Summer Big Three”—tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant—are heat-loving plants that must be transplanted as seedlings. For middle Georgia, the recommended planting window is late March through May, with North Georgia gardeners waiting several weeks later. Vining crops, including cucumbers, squash, and melons, are often direct-seeded once the soil has warmed sufficiently, as their delicate roots do not handle transplanting well.
Okra and Southern peas (like black-eyed peas) flourish in the intense Georgia heat and humidity, continuing to produce when other crops have slowed down. For fruit, Georgia is a leading producer of blueberries, which require specific “chilling hours” in the winter. Gardeners should select varieties like ‘Climax,’ ‘Premier,’ or ‘Tifblue’ that are suited to the chilling requirements of their specific region for a successful harvest.
Seasonal Flowers and Landscape Additions
Beyond edible crops, the local climate supports a variety of flowering plants that enhance the landscape. For vibrant summer color, warm-season annuals are typically planted after the last chance of frost. Favorites like petunias, zinnias, and marigolds provide continuous blooms until the first hard freeze of autumn.
For more permanent landscape structure, many perennials and shrubs are best planted in early spring or in the fall, allowing the roots to establish before temperature extremes hit. Successful ornamentals for the Georgia climate include heat-tolerant options like Shasta daisies and coreopsis, which thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Native shrubs, such as hydrangeas and azaleas, are also popular additions and should be selected based on their specific tolerance for sun or shade and their hardiness zone rating.