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

Planting zone for 30573 — Tallulah Falls, GA

ZIP code 30573 (Tallulah Falls, Rabun County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 30573 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 9
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 Tallulah Falls, 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 Tallulah Falls, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 13
Growing season205 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Long Creek, SC — 8 miles away, elevation 1,624 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 30573

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
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 9) 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 30573 came on Feb 21 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

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).

Soil in Tallulah Falls, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30573 is Ramsey — stony sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureStony sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ramsey-Lily 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 30573; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tallulah Falls, GA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights74nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,989base 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
Precipitation63.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 50 °F, low 30 °F 50°30° JanFebruary: average high 54 °F, low 32 °F 54°32° FebMarch: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 47 °F 70°47° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° NovDecember: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 6.22 in precipitation 6.2 JanFebruary: 5.73 in precipitation 5.7 FebMarch: 5.74 in precipitation 5.7 MarApril: 5.48 in precipitation 5.5 AprMay: 5.16 in precipitation 5.2 MayJune: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 5.04 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 5.89 in precipitation 5.9 AugSeptember: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 4.55 in precipitation 4.5 OctNovember: 5.22 in precipitation 5.2 NovDecember: 5.87 in precipitation 5.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Long Creek, SC (8 mi away); precipitation: Tugalo Dam, GA (3 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.

305818a
Wiley, GA · 4 mi
305528a
Lakemont, GA · 5 mi
305808a
Turnerville, GA · 5 mi
296588a
Long Creek, SC · 6 mi
305767b
Tiger, GA · 7 mi
305238a
Clarkesville, GA · 9 mi
305988b
Toccoa Falls, GA · 10 mi
305257b
Clayton, GA · 12 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30573

What planting zone is ZIP code 30573?

ZIP code 30573 (Tallulah Falls, 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 Tallulah Falls, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30573 is April 9; after April 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Long Creek station.

When is the first frost in Tallulah Falls, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30573 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 205 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30573?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 12 – Feb 26 and set transplants outside around Apr 16 – Apr 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30573 get?

About 63.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tugalo Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Tallulah Falls, 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 30573 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ramsey at the center of ZIP 30573: stony sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Tallulah Falls, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30573 came on Feb 21 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tallulah Falls, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30573 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 30573 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 30573 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.