Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for Ellijay, GA

Ellijay, GA is in USDA zone 7b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 5.

Ellijay 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostMar 31

First frostNov 5

Growing season221 days

7b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ellijay, GA…

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 Ellijay, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 5median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season221 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 17 and returns around November 18.

From the NOAA station Jasper 1 Nnw, GA, elevation 1,467 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 Ellijay

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 10 – Sep 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 22 – Nov 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 5) 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 30540 came on Feb 20 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

average
Feb 192026
Feb 20

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 7b in Georgia

547 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Georgia, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. 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 Ellijay, GA.

Soil in Ellijay, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30540 is Tallapoosa — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tallapoosa cobbly sandy loam, 25 to 60 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 30540; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ellijay, GA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days48days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights75nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,714base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 50 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation59.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 inper year; 2 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chatsworth 2, GA (12 mi away); precipitation: Ellijay, GA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Ellijay

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about Ellijay

What planting zone is Ellijay, GA?

Ellijay, GA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map (7b: 5 to 10 °F).

When is the last frost in Ellijay, GA?

The median last spring frost is March 31 and the median first fall frost is November 5 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jasper 1 Nnw station).

When can I plant a garden in Ellijay, GA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 17 – Mar 10; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 7, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Ellijay, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Ellijay, GA get?

About 59.4 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).