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

Planting zone for 30580 — Turnerville, GA

ZIP code 30580 (Turnerville, Habersham County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 30580 is

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 11

First frostOct 26

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 Turnerville, 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 Turnerville, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 14

Growing season198 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Clarkesville, GA — 7 miles away, elevation 1,371 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 30580

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 31 – Sep 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 30580 came on Feb 19 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 17).

average
Feb 172026
Feb 19

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 Turnerville, GA.

Soil in Turnerville, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30580 is Pacolet — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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: Cecil (Pacolet) sandy loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, 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 30580; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Turnerville, GA

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights93nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,253base 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

Precipitation63.7 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: Clarkesville, GA (7 mi away); precipitation: Tugalo Dam, GA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

305738a

Tallulah Falls, GA · 5 mi

305528a

Lakemont, GA · 7 mi

305238a

Clarkesville, GA · 7 mi

305988b

Toccoa Falls, GA · 7 mi

305638a

Mount Airy, GA · 8 mi

305818a

Wiley, GA · 8 mi

296588a

Long Creek, SC · 10 mi

305778b

Toccoa, GA · 10 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30580

What planting zone is ZIP code 30580?

ZIP code 30580 (Turnerville, 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 Turnerville, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30580 is April 11; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clarkesville station.

When is the first frost in Turnerville, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30580 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 198 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30580?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30580 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Turnerville, GA?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 30580 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pacolet at the center of ZIP 30580: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Turnerville, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30580 came on Feb 19 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Turnerville, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30580 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 30580 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 30580 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.