How dates are built
Planting guide methodology
The date on a planting guide is a supported planning range, not a promise about one garden on one day.
Updated August 30, 2026
1. Start with the applicable crop source
For most crops, the published University of Georgia Home Garden Planting Chart supplies an approximate Middle Georgia outdoor window. Crop-specific Extension publications add method, soil-temperature, maturity or growing-system details.
2. Keep the geography visible
North, Middle and South Georgia do not share one exact schedule. General regional guidance is not mechanically converted into county dates. When the source supports only a direction of change, the guide says later or earlier instead of inventing a precise day.
3. Preserve meaningful exceptions
Strawberries use different growing systems across Georgia. Pumpkins are more useful when counted backward from a harvest goal. Garlic sources use overlapping but different fall frames. These cases retain their own decision model instead of being forced into one generic template.
4. Check conditions before planting
Soil warmth, frost risk, current weather, variety maturity and planting method can narrow the planning range. USDA hardiness zones alone do not provide a complete vegetable planting calendar.
Primary source collection
UGA Vegetable Garden Calendar explains the regional basis. Each crop guide links its additional publications directly.