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

Planting zone for 30552 — Lakemont, GA

ZIP code 30552 (Lakemont, Rabun County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 30552 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 10

First frostOct 29

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 Lakemont, 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 Lakemont, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 15

Growing season203 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 28 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Clayton 1 Ssw, GA — 9 miles away, elevation 1,965 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 30552

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 30552 came on Feb 21 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23).

average
Feb 232026
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 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 Lakemont, GA.

Soil in Lakemont, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30552 is Edneyville — stony sandy loam, well drained.

TextureStony sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Edneyville-Ashe association, stony, steep.

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 30552; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lakemont, GA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights88nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,973base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 49 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation72.2 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: Clayton 1 Ssw, GA (9 mi away); precipitation: Helen 9.5 Ene, GA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Tallulah Falls, GA · 5 mi

305238a

Clarkesville, GA · 6 mi

305808a

Turnerville, GA · 7 mi

296588a

Long Creek, SC · 10 mi

305257b

Clayton, GA · 11 mi

305627b

Mountain City, GA · 11 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30552

What planting zone is ZIP code 30552?

ZIP code 30552 (Lakemont, 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 Lakemont, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30552 is April 10; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clayton 1 Ssw station.

When is the first frost in Lakemont, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30552 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 203 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30552?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30552 get?

About 72.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Helen 9.5 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Lakemont, 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 30552 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Edneyville at the center of ZIP 30552: stony sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lakemont, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30552 came on Feb 21 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lakemont, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30552 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 30552 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 30552 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.