Georgia Plant Hardiness Zones

Hardiness Zones, also referred to as Growing Zones or Planting zones are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The zones in this map were created in 2023 using mean extreme climate data covering the period of 1991 to 2020. The previous version of this map released in 2012 was created using climate data from the period of 1976-2005. The data in the 2012 maps covered a cooler period than the 2023 maps.
The Southeastern US State of Georgia is covered by a total of 6 distinct plant hardiness zones:7a to 9b. The coolest zones in the state are 7a (0°F to 5°F) and 7b (5°F to 10°F) in the Northern mountains of Georgia. Locations within these zones include Blairsville (7a), Ellijay (7b), Blue Ridge (7b) and Clayton (7b). Zone 8a covers most of North Central Georgia including Atlanta and its North and Western suburbs as well as the I75 corridor heading to Dalton. Within the 8a zone there are pockets of zone 8b in low elevation areas to the South and East of Atlanta including Athens, Covington, College Park and Griffin. The majority of zone 8b covers most of middle Georgia roughly following the fall line and includes the cities of Columbus, Macon, Augusta and Cordele. As you approach South Georgia and coastal Georgia you will enter zone 9a. This zone includes the cities of Valdosta, Albany, Tifton and Savannah. The warmest zone in Georgia is 9b which covers some small pockets in the islands of Coastal Georgia including Tybee Island and Saint Simons.