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

Planting zone for 30124 — Cave Spring, GA

ZIP code 30124 (Cave Spring, Floyd County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 30124 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostMar 30

First frostNov 4

2012 zone7b

Was 7b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cave Spring, 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 Cave Spring, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 20

Growing season219 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 16 and returns around November 15.

From the NOAA station Cedartown, GA — 8 miles away, elevation 784 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 30124

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 30) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 30124 came on Feb 17 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

average
Feb 142026
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 Cave Spring, GA.

Soil in Cave Spring, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30124 is Townley — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Townley silt loam, 10 to 25 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 30124; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cave Spring, GA

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days58days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights69nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,279base 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

Precipitation52.8 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: Cedartown, GA (8 mi away); precipitation: Cedartown, GA (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

301478a

Lindale, GA · 7 mi

301258a

Cedartown, GA · 10 mi

301738a

Silver Creek, GA · 11 mi

Esom Hill, GA · 13 mi

301628a

Rome, GA · 13 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30124

What planting zone is ZIP code 30124?

ZIP code 30124 (Cave Spring, GA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Cave Spring, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30124 is March 30; after April 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cedartown station.

When is the first frost in Cave Spring, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30124 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 219 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30124?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 2 – Feb 16 and set transplants outside around Apr 6 – Apr 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30124 get?

About 52.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cedartown station).

How hot do summers get in Cave Spring, GA?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 58 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 30124 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Townley at the center of ZIP 30124: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cave Spring, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30124 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cave Spring, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30124 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 30124 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 30124 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.