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

Planting zone for 30560 — Morganton, GA

ZIP code 30560 (Morganton, Fannin County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 30560 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 26

First frostOct 19

2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Morganton, 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 Morganton, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 7

Growing season176 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Blairsville Exp Stn, GA — 15 miles away, elevation 1,949 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 30560

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24

BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 30560 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 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 Morganton, GA.

Soil in Morganton, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30560 is Cowee — fine sandy loam, well drained.

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

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cowee-Evard complex, 25 to 45 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 30560; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Morganton, GA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights104nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,577base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 30 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

Precipitation62.2 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: Blairsville Exp Stn, GA (15 mi away); precipitation: Morganton 3.1 Sse, GA (3 mi away). 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.

305597b

Mineral Bluff, GA · 7 mi

305137b

Blue Ridge, GA · 8 mi

289037b

Culberson, NC · 8 mi

305227b

Cherry Log, GA · 10 mi

305727b

Suches, GA · 12 mi

305127b

Blairsville, GA · 13 mi

305557b

Mc Caysville, GA · 14 mi

305147a

Blairsville, GA · 14 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30560

What planting zone is ZIP code 30560?

ZIP code 30560 (Morganton, 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 Morganton, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30560 is April 26; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Blairsville Exp Stn station.

When is the first frost in Morganton, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30560 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30560?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30560 get?

About 62.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morganton 3.1 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Morganton, GA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 30560 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cowee at the center of ZIP 30560: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Morganton, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30560 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 Morganton, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30560 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 30560 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 30560 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.