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

Planting zone for 30294 — Ellenwood, GA

ZIP code 30294 (Ellenwood, Clayton County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 30294 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 25

First frostNov 12

2012 zone8a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Ellenwood, 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 Ellenwood, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 31

Growing season235 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 28.

From the NOAA station Jonesboro, GA — 9 miles away, elevation 932 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 30294

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 25) and first fall frost (Nov 12) 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 30294 came on Feb 14 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11).

average
Feb 112026
Feb 14

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 Ellenwood, GA.

Soil in Ellenwood, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30294 is Madison — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Madison sandy loam, 6 to 10 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 30294; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ellenwood, GA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days59days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights49nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,105base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 23 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 55 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation53.2 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: Jonesboro, GA (9 mi away); precipitation: Decatur 1.2 Se, GA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Forest Park, GA · 6 mi

303168a

Atlanta, GA · 7 mi

302818a

Stockbridge, GA · 7 mi

300358a

Decatur, GA · 7 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30294

What planting zone is ZIP code 30294?

ZIP code 30294 (Ellenwood, 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 Ellenwood, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30294 is March 25; after April 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jonesboro station.

When is the first frost in Ellenwood, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30294 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 235 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30294?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 28 – Feb 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 1 – Apr 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30294 get?

About 53.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Decatur 1.2 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Ellenwood, GA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 59 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 30294 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Madison at the center of ZIP 30294: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Ellenwood, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30294 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ellenwood, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30294 is 14 h 23 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.