US Grow Zones

Johns Creek, Georgia: planting zone & frost dates

Last updated · Sources: PRISM/OSU 2023 ZIP zone listings; NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals (station USW00053863); U.S. Census Bureau — see methodology

Johns Creek is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a, where the average coldest winter night reaches 10 to 15°F (-12.2 to -9.4°C). The typical last spring frost is around Apr 1 and the first fall frost around Nov 2.

Hardiness zone8A10 to 15°F
Last spring frostApr 130% chance of frost after
First fall frostNov 230% chance of frost before
Growing season228 daysmedian frost-free days

Frost dates

ProbabilityLast spring frost (32°F)First fall frost (32°F)
Safer (10% risk)Apr 12Oct 26
Typical planning date (30% risk)Apr 1Nov 2
Median (50%)Mar 25Nov 9

How to read this: after the spring "10% risk" date, a 32°F frost happens in only about 1 year in 10. In fall, the "10% risk" date is the early end — a frost before it happens about 1 year in 10.

Frost data comes from NOAA station ATLANTA PEACHTREE AP, GA (USW00053863), 12.2 mi (19.7 km) from the city center and 46 ft higher than the city center (+14 m). Record used for the 1991–2020 normals: 20 years.

Frost probability in spring and fall, Johns Creek, GAChance of a 32°F frost in Johns Creek, GA, NOAA 1991–2020. Spring: the chance of another frost falls from 90% on Mar 5 to 10% on Apr 12. Fall: the chance that the first frost has arrived rises from 10% on Oct 26 to 90% on Nov 27.0%50%100%Spring: later frostFeb 15Mar 15Apr 1530%: Apr 1Fall: frost arrivedNov 1Nov 15Dec 1Dec 1530%: Nov 232°F frost28°F hard freezeplanning date
Shaded areas show the chance of a 32°F frost: falling through spring, rising through fall. The dashed line is the 28°F hard-freeze curve. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 Normals, station USW00053863.
Frost-free growing season in Johns Creek, GA1 in 10 risk: Apr 12 to Oct 26 (197 days); 3 in 10 risk: Apr 1 to Nov 2 (215 days); Median (50%): Mar 25 to Nov 9 (229 days); No 28°F freeze: Mar 12 to Nov 22 (255 days). In 9 of 10 years the 32°F-free season is at least 205 days.Frost-free days, spring to fallJFMAMJJASOND1 in 10 risk197 days3 in 10 risk215 daysMedian (50%)229 daysNo 28°F freeze255 days
Frost-free window at three risk levels, plus the window between 28°F hard freezes. Read about what the probabilities mean.

Why your yard may differ from the station: microclimates.

Hardiness zone across Johns Creek

All 4 ZIP codes covering Johns Creek are in zone 8a.

ZIP codes in Johns Creek and their zones
ZIPZoneShare of city land
300228a49.8%
300978a37.9%
300058a8.4%
300248a3.7%

Vegetable planting calendar for Johns Creek

Dates are counted from the 30%-risk frost dates above (last frost Apr 1, first frost Nov 2). Shift a week later in cold spots or low-lying ground.

CropStart indoorsTransplant / plant outDirect sowFall crop sow/plant
TomatoFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 22——
PepperJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 15 – Apr 29——
LettuceFeb 18 – Mar 4Mar 18 – Apr 8Mar 4 – Apr 15Aug 24 – Sep 21
Green Beans——Apr 8 – May 13Aug 10 – Aug 24
Sweet Corn——Apr 8 – May 6—
Zucchini & Summer SquashMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 29Aug 10 – Aug 24
CucumberMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 29Aug 10 – Aug 24
Carrot——Mar 11 – Apr 15Aug 10 – Aug 24
OnionJan 7 – Jan 21Mar 4 – Mar 18——
Potato—Mar 4 – Mar 25——
BasilFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 29Apr 15 – May 6—
Spinach——Feb 18 – Mar 18Sep 7 – Oct 5
KaleFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 4 – Mar 25Mar 4 – Mar 25Aug 24 – Sep 21
BroccoliFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 8—Aug 10 – Aug 24
Peas——Feb 18 – Mar 11Aug 24 – Sep 7
EggplantJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 15 – Apr 29——
CabbageFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 4 – Mar 18—Aug 10 – Aug 24
Radish——Feb 25 – Apr 15Sep 21 – Oct 19
Strawberry—Mar 4 – Mar 25——
Beets——Mar 11 – Apr 22Aug 24 – Sep 7

Nearby cities in Georgia

More: all Georgia cities · other zone 8a cities: Charlotte, NC, Memphis, TN, Atlanta, GA, Raleigh, NC, Greensboro, NC, Durham, NC, Winston-Salem, NC, Chesapeake, VA

Johns Creek gardening questions

When is the last frost in Johns Creek, GA?

Plan around Apr 1. At NOAA's Atlanta Peachtree Airport, GA station, 12.2 mi from the city center, there is a 30% chance of a 32°F frost after that date. Half of springs have their last frost by Mar 25, and after Apr 12 the risk drops to about 1 in 10. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends earlier, around Mar 12. The 90% and 10% dates are 38 days apart, close to the 36-day median for cities on this site.

When should I plant tomatoes in Johns Creek, GA?

Start seeds indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18 and set transplants outside Apr 8 – Apr 22, once nights stay above 50°F and the soil is near 60°F. That leaves 215 days between the 30% frost dates, enough for most varieties including 80–85-day slicers. More: tomato planting dates by zone.

How long is the growing season in Johns Creek?

About 228 days without a 32°F frost in a typical (median) year. In 9 years out of 10 the season lasts at least 205 days, and in 1 year in 10 it runs 253 days or more. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost by Oct 26 and a 30% chance by Nov 2. That ranks 11th longest of 12 Georgia cities on this site.

When should I plant a fall garden in Johns Creek?

Count back from the first fall frost (Nov 2): transplant broccoli Aug 10 – Aug 24; sow kale Aug 24 – Sep 21; sow lettuce Aug 24 – Sep 21; sow radishes Sep 21 – Oct 19. Hardy crops keep growing through light frosts; the median 28°F hard freeze here is Nov 22. How the math works: succession and fall planting.

Did Johns Creek's hardiness zone change on the 2023 map?

Yes. Most of Johns Creek was zone 7b on the 2012 map and is zone 8a on the 2023 map — half a zone warmer, like about 56% of U.S. ZIP codes. The shift comes from a newer 1991–2020 averaging period plus more weather stations and better mapping; it does not mean last frost comes earlier. Why the 2023 map is warmer.

How does Johns Creek compare with Atlanta, GA?

Both are in zone 8a. The typical last spring frost in Johns Creek (Apr 1) comes about the same time as in Atlanta, GA (Mar 31), 22 miles away, and the first fall frost is Nov 2 versus Nov 1. The two cities use different NOAA stations.