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

Planting zone for 30533 — Dahlonega, GA

ZIP code 30533 (Dahlonega, Lumpkin County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 30533 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 frostApr 14

First frostOct 25

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 Dahlonega, 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 Dahlonega, 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 — 14 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 30533

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 30533 came on Feb 19 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

average
Feb 192026
Feb 19

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 Dahlonega, GA.

Soil in Dahlonega, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30533 is Rabun — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rabun clay loam, 10 to 15 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 30533; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dahlonega, 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 28 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

Precipitation63.7 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: Cleveland, GA (14 mi away); precipitation: Dahlonega 4wsw, GA (4 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.

305978a

Dahlonega, GA · 3 mi

305648a

Murrayville, GA · 10 mi

305727b

Suches, GA · 12 mi

305348a

Dawsonville, GA · 12 mi

305287b

Cleveland, GA · 14 mi

305278a

Clermont, GA · 15 mi

305038a

Gainesville, GA · 16 mi

301488a

Marble Hill, GA · 16 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Dahlonega → · Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30533

What planting zone is ZIP code 30533?

ZIP code 30533 (Dahlonega, 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 Dahlonega, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30533 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 Dahlonega, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30533 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 192 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30533?

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 30533 get?

About 63.7 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dahlonega 4wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Dahlonega, 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 30533 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rabun at the center of ZIP 30533: clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Dahlonega, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30533 came on Feb 19 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dahlonega, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30533 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 30533 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 30533 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.