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

Planting zone for 30542 — Flowery Branch, GA

ZIP code 30542 (Flowery Branch, Hall County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost November 14.

Where ZIP 30542 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 20

First frostNov 14

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 Flowery Branch, 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 Flowery Branch, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 14median — 10% chance by Oct 31

Growing season239 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 7 and returns around November 30.

From the NOAA station Gainesville Gilmer Airport, GA — 8 miles away, elevation 1,276 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 30542

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 19 – Oct 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 31 – Dec 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 20) and first fall frost (Nov 14) 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 30542 came on Feb 15 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15).

average
Feb 152026
Feb 15

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 Flowery Branch, GA.

Soil in Flowery Branch, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30542 is Madison — sandy clay loam, well drained.

TextureSandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

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 classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Madison sandy clay loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, moderately 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 30542; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Flowery Branch, GA

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days35days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights42nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,904base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 26 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation57.4 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: Gainesville Gilmer Airport, GA (8 mi away); precipitation: Flowery Branch 1.1 Ssw, GA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

305668a

Oakwood, GA · 4 mi

305048a

Gainesville, GA · 6 mi

305198a

Buford, GA · 7 mi

305028a

Chestnut Mountain, GA · 7 mi

Gainesville, GA · 10 mi

305488b

Hoschton, GA · 10 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30542

What planting zone is ZIP code 30542?

ZIP code 30542 (Flowery Branch, 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 Flowery Branch, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30542 is March 20; after April 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gainesville Gilmer Airport station.

When is the first frost in Flowery Branch, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30542 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 239 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30542?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 23 – Feb 6 and set transplants outside around Mar 27 – Apr 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30542 get?

About 57.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Flowery Branch 1.1 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Flowery Branch, GA?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 35 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 30542 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Madison at the center of ZIP 30542: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Flowery Branch, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30542 came on Feb 15 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Flowery Branch, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30542 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 30542 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 30542 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.