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

Planting zone for 30528 — Cleveland, GA

ZIP code 30528 (Cleveland, White County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 30528 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 14

First frostOct 25

2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 14median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 12

Growing season192 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Cleveland, GA — 2 miles away, elevation 1,568 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 30528

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 24

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 30528 came on Feb 21 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22).

average
Feb 222026
Feb 21

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 Cleveland, GA.

Soil in Cleveland, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30528 is Hayesville — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.1strongly 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: Hayesville sandy clay loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded.

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 30528; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cleveland, GA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days17days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights97nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,809base 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

Precipitation65.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

305278a

Clermont, GA · 9 mi

305717b

Sautee Nacoochee, GA · 9 mi

Murrayville, GA · 12 mi

305318a

Cornelia, GA · 12 mi

305978a

Dahlonega, GA · 13 mi

305338a

Dahlonega, GA · 14 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30528

What planting zone is ZIP code 30528?

ZIP code 30528 (Cleveland, GA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Cleveland, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30528 is April 14; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cleveland station.

When is the first frost in Cleveland, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30528 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 192 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30528?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 17 – Mar 3 and set transplants outside around Apr 21 – May 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30528 get?

About 65.2 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cleveland station).

How hot do summers get in Cleveland, GA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 17 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 30528 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hayesville at the center of ZIP 30528: loam, well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cleveland, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30528 came on Feb 21 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cleveland, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30528 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.