Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Cartersville, GA

Cartersville, GA is in USDA zone 8a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost November 1.

Cartersville on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostApr 5

First frostNov 1

Growing season211 days

8a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Cartersville, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 20

Growing season211 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Cartersville Airport, GA, elevation 764 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Cartersville

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Nov 1) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 30121 came on Feb 17 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15).

average
Feb 152026
Feb 17

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 8a in Georgia

572 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Georgia, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Cartersville, GA.

Soil in Cartersville, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30121 is Etowah — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Etowah-Urban land complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 30121; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cartersville, GA

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days53days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights70nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,723base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 26 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation51.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cartersville, GA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Cartersville #2, GA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Cartersville

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about Cartersville

What planting zone is Cartersville, GA?

Cartersville, GA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map (8a: 10 to 15 °F).

When is the last frost in Cartersville, GA?

The median last spring frost is April 5 and the median first fall frost is November 1 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cartersville Airport station).

When can I plant a garden in Cartersville, GA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 22 – Mar 15; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 12, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Cartersville, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Cartersville, GA get?

About 51.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).