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

Planting zone for 30309 — Atlanta, GA

ZIP code 30309 (Atlanta, Fulton 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 9.

Where ZIP 30309 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 9
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 Atlanta, 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 Atlanta, 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 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 26
Growing season228 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 12 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Atlanta Peachtree Airport, GA — 7 miles away, elevation 1,001 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 30309

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 14 – Sep 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 25) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 30309 came on Feb 14 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11).

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.

Trees 88

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FAtlantic white cedar50 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Shrubs 138

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 169

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °FAmerican water horehound1.8 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 152

American cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbig cordgrass8 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −3 °F

Vines 13

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Atlanta, GA.

Soil in Atlanta, GA

The center of ZIP 30309 is mapped as Urban land: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 30309; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Atlanta, GA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low33 °Faverage low, January
Hot days53days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights49nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,025base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 24 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 54 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation51.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 52 °F, low 33 °F 52°33° JanFebruary: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° FebMarch: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 66 °F 86°66° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 70 °F 89°70° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 69 °F 88°69° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 51 °F 73°51° OctNovember: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° NovDecember: average high 54 °F, low 36 °F 54°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.68 in precipitation 4.7 JanFebruary: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 FebMarch: 4.80 in precipitation 4.8 MarApril: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 MayJune: 4.55 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 5.06 in precipitation 5.1 JulAugust: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 4.09 in precipitation 4.1 NovDecember: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Atlanta Peachtree Airport, GA (7 mi away); precipitation: Atlanta 2.3 Ne, GA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

303638a
Atlanta, GA · <1 mi
303248a
Atlanta, GA · 2 mi
303088a
Atlanta, GA · 2 mi
303068a
Atlanta, GA · 2 mi
303058a
Atlanta, GA · 2 mi
303138a
Atlanta, GA · 3 mi
303038a
Atlanta, GA · 3 mi
303228a
Atlanta, GA · 3 mi

All 89 ZIP codes in Atlanta → · Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30309

What planting zone is ZIP code 30309?

ZIP code 30309 (Atlanta, 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 Atlanta, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30309 is March 25; after April 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Atlanta Peachtree Airport station.

When is the first frost in Atlanta, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30309 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 228 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30309?

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 30309 get?

About 51.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Atlanta 2.3 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Atlanta, GA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 53 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Atlanta, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30309 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 Atlanta, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30309 is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.