Atlanta Gardening Guide (2026)

Humid Southeast; long warm season.

USDA zone
8
Typical last frost
03/25
Typical first frost
11/10

Quick answer (Atlanta): Gardeners here work in about a 230-day frost-free window around zone 8. State context: Georgia (zones 7–9). Start warm crops indoors ~6 weeks before the last frost of 03/25.

🌆 Atlanta microclimate

  • Humid South (7b-8a)
  • Long warm season, hot summers
  • Great year-round potential

What to grow here, by environment

full sun
Tomato (heat-set) · Pepper · Okra · Collards
humid
Cucumber · Squash · Southern peas · Sweet potato
fall
Broccoli · Lettuce · Cabbage · Kale (fall/winter)
shade
Azalea · Camellia · Hostas

Your Atlanta planting calendar

Pre-filled with Atlanta's frost dates. Choose a crop to print your plan.

In Georgia (typical zone 79, last frost ≈ Mar 25, first frost ≈ Nov 10, 230-day season), your Tomato plan:

Start seeds indoors
Feb 11
Sow / transplant outdoors
Apr 8
First harvest
Jun 17
Spacing / depth
24″ / 0.25

Month-by-month (Georgia, 2026)

MonthAction
Jan
FebStart indoors
Mar
AprSow · Transplant
May
JunHarvest
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost; transplant after soil warms. Zones 313 suitable. Dates are typical; confirm with your county extension and watch the 10-day forecast.

Common pests near Atlanta

Pre-filled to Georgia. Pick a pest for signs, organic-first treatment, and a printable IPM card.

Fire Ant

Targets
Lawns, beds, people/pets
Signs
Mounded nests; painful sting.
Organic / IPM first
Broadcast beneficial nematodes; boiling water (small mounds); diatomaceous earth.
Chemical option (follow label)
Bait containing spinosad or hydramethylnon; treat entire yard.
Prevention
Two-step bait program in spring and fall; keep lawn healthy.

Crops that fit zone 8

Vegetables and herbs suited to your metro zone — open any for a state-specific planting card: