Garden Guide
Garden Guide for Atlanta, Georgia's Piedmont Region
Atlanta is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, which means you get a long growing season! Summers are hot and humid, and winters are mild with rare, short frosts. The soil here is often clayey and can be acidic, so good soil preparation with compost is super important.
In Atlanta, Zone 8b, you can garden almost year-round thanks to the long growing season, typically from mid-March (last frost) to late November (first frost). Get started with garden lettuce (start indoors Feb-Aug, harvest Mar-Nov) and radishes (sow/germinate Mar-Sep). For frost-sensitive plants like tomatoes (start indoors Feb-Apr) and squash (start indoors Mar-May), wait until after the last frost to plant them out.
Also applies to: Marietta, Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Smyrna
Plan your Atlanta garden in the Fryd appPlanting Calendar
When to start indoors, sow outdoors, and harvest in Atlanta.
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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| Carrots ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Lettuce (Lettuce) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Cucumber / Gherkin ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Courgette / Zucchini ●●● ●●● ●●● | |
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| Pepper / Paprika ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Potato ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Radishes ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Tomato (Bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Pea ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Beetroot ●●● ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Strawberry ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Kohlrabi / German turnip / Turnip cabbage ●●● ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Garlic ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Pumpkin / Squash ●●● ●●● ●●● | |
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| Broccoli ●●● ●●● ●●● | |
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| Chard ●●○ ●●○ ●●○ | |
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Planting Calendar Atlanta
- Carrots: Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest Jun - Nov (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Lettuce (Lettuce): Start indoors Feb - Aug, Sowing Mar - Sep, Harvest Mar - Nov (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Cucumber / Gherkin: Start indoors Apr - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Courgette / Zucchini: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
- Pepper / Paprika: Start indoors Feb - Mar, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Potato: Start indoors Feb - Mar, Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Radishes: Sowing Mar - Sep, Harvest May - Nov (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Tomato (Bush tomato): Start indoors Feb - Apr, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato): Start indoors Feb - Apr, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Onion: Start indoors Jan - Feb, Sowing Feb - Apr, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Bean (Dwarf bean): Start indoors Apr - May, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Pea: Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest May - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Basil: Start indoors Mar - Jul, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest May - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Beetroot: Start indoors Mar - Apr, Sowing Apr - Jul, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Strawberry: Start indoors Feb - Apr, Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest May - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Kohlrabi / German turnip / Turnip cabbage: Start indoors Feb - May, Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest May - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Garlic: Sowing Sep - Nov, Harvest Jun - Aug (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Pumpkin / Squash: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Aug - Nov (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
- Broccoli: Start indoors Feb - Apr, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
- Chard: Start indoors Jan - Apr, Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest May - Nov (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Based on Fryd planting data for Zone 8b, 2026.
Companion Planting for Atlanta
Plants that thrive together in Georgia's Piedmont Region.
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Lettuce (Lettuce) + Carrots
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Chard + Carrots
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Lettuce (Lettuce) + Radishes
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Onion + Cucumber / Gherkin
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Garlic + Cucumber / Gherkin
Plan companions visually
Drag and drop crops in the Fryd bed planner to see companion matches.
Try Fryd →Growing Tips for Atlanta
Soil Prep is Key!
Atlanta's clayey soil really benefits from adding plenty of compost. This boosts drainage and nutrient supply, which is especially important for radishes and onions. Loose, humus-rich soil encourages healthy growth.
Protect Frost-Sensitive Plants
Warm-weather lovers like squash, zucchini, beans, and tomatoes should only be planted outdoors after the last frost, typically mid-March. Starting them indoors gives them a great head start. Make sure soil temperatures are warm enough before transplanting.
Ensure Consistent Moisture
Many plants, including radishes, squash, and zucchini, need consistent watering to thrive. If it's too dry, radishes can get woody, and squash and zucchini will suffer from lack of water. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
Get a Head Start with Seed Starting
Take advantage of starting seeds indoors for many crops like garden lettuce, Swiss chard, or tomatoes. This lets you harvest earlier and protects young plants from unpredictable weather. Pay attention to the right germination temperature and plenty of light.
Common Pests & Diseases
Combat Aphids
Aphids are often found on young shoots and leaves. Rinse them off with a strong spray of water or use a neem oil solution. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs by planting insect-friendly plants.
Keep Slugs in Check
Slugs can cause a lot of damage, especially in damp weather. Hand-pick them regularly, set out slug traps, or use iron phosphate-based slug bait. A barrier of sawdust or crushed eggshells can also help.
Prevent Blight (Late Blight)
This fungal disease often affects tomatoes in humid weather. Ensure adequate plant spacing and remove lower leaves to improve air circulation. Always water the root area directly, not the leaves.
Deter Cabbage Maggots
Cabbage maggots can damage brassicas like kohlrabi and broccoli. Protect your plants with row covers that are sealed tightly to the ground. Companion planting with celery or tomatoes can also act as a deterrent.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I plant tomatoes in Atlanta?
Tomatoes are sensitive to frost, so in Atlanta, you should only plant them outdoors after the last frost, typically mid-March. You can start seeds indoors from February to April, and direct sow/germinate outdoors from May to June.
What USDA Hardiness Zone is Atlanta in?
Atlanta is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. This means you can look forward to mild winters and a long, warm growing season, offering plenty of planting opportunities.
Which plants thrive best in Atlanta?
Many plants thrive wonderfully in Atlanta! These include warm-weather crops like tomatoes, squash, zucchini, and beans, as well as more cold-tolerant varieties like garden lettuce, radishes, Swiss chard, and various types of cabbage.
When is the last frost in Atlanta?
The last frost in Atlanta is typically mid-March. After that, you can safely plant out frost-sensitive plants.
