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

Planting zone for 30539 — East Ellijay, GA

ZIP code 30539 (East Ellijay, Gilmer County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 5.

Where ZIP 30539 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 frostMar 31

First frostNov 5

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 East Ellijay, 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 East Ellijay, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 5median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season221 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 17 and returns around November 18.

From the NOAA station Jasper 1 Nnw, GA — 14 miles away, elevation 1,467 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 30539

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 10 – Sep 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 22 – Nov 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 5) 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 30539 came on Feb 20 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

average
Feb 192026
Feb 20

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 East Ellijay, GA.

Soil in East Ellijay, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30539 is Talladega — channery loam, well drained.

TextureChannery loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Talladega channery loam, 25 to 60 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 30539; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in East Ellijay, GA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights61nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,168base 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

Precipitation59.4 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: Jasper 1 Nnw, GA (14 mi away); precipitation: Ellijay, GA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Cherry Log, GA · 10 mi

301758a

Talking Rock, GA · 11 mi

305137b

Blue Ridge, GA · 13 mi

Chatsworth, GA · 16 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30539

What planting zone is ZIP code 30539?

ZIP code 30539 (East Ellijay, 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 East Ellijay, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30539 is March 31; after April 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jasper 1 Nnw station.

When is the first frost in East Ellijay, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30539 is November 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 221 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30539?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30539 get?

About 59.4 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ellijay station).

How hot do summers get in East Ellijay, GA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 30539 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Talladega at the center of ZIP 30539: channery loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in East Ellijay, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30539 came on Feb 20 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 East Ellijay, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30539 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.