What Gardening Zone is Georgia?

Georgia spans USDA Hardiness Zones 6b through 9a—from the North Georgia mountains (zones 6b-7a) through Atlanta's Piedmont region (zones 8a-8b) to the coastal areas (zones 8b-9a). However, hardiness zones only tell you one thing: the coldest winter temperature. They don't help you plan what to grow throughout the year.

Instead of relying on zones, successful Georgia gardeners use the "Arc of Seasons"—tracking monthly high temperatures and frost dates to understand when to plant. This system divides the year into four growing seasons: cold (below 30°F), cool (45-65°F with frost possible), warm (65-85°F, frost-free), and hot (above 85°F).

In Atlanta, for example, you might experience a cool season from January through March, a warm season in April-May and September-October, and a hot season June through August. By matching crops to these temperature ranges—kale and lettuce in cool seasons, tomatoes and peppers in warm/hot seasons—you can keep your garden productive year-round rather than limiting yourself to one "zone" or traditional spring-to-fall planting.