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When to Plant Echinacea in Fulton County, GA

Echinacea (purple coneflower) is a native prairie perennial valued for its immune-supporting properties and beautiful daisy-like flowers that attract pollinators.

Fulton County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 457 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 53.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Echinacea during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Echinacea, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Echinacea root diseases.

Fulton County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Nov 3
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Nov 9
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Nov 28

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Echinacea needs ~2,625 GDD — county provides 3,990 GDD Excellent fit

Echinacea Planting Timeline โ€” Fulton County, GA

Echinacea Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Harvest August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Nov 9

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

120โ€“180 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Fulton County

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost or direct sow in fall for spring germination. Seeds need cold stratification. Deadhead to prolong blooming or leave seed heads for birds.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Echinacea in Fulton County, GA?

Fulton County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Echinacea planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, GA?

Fulton County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fulton County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Fulton County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.