Blog

When to plant Stevia in Greene County, GA

Greene County sits in USDA Zone 8b. Plant Stevia between April 15 (after last frost on April 8) and May 6.

When to Plant Stevia in Greene County, GA

Greene County, Georgia Zone 8b July

Your July game plan for Greene County, Georgia

July is a pivotal month for Greene County, Georgia gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 8
Avg. first frost October 31
Soil temp (4") 86°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Start harvesting stevia

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

Looking ahead to August
  • First harvests: stevia

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Stevia is a subtropical herb whose leaves contain natural sweeteners 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. It is grown as an annual in most climates.

Greene County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 60 feet, Greene County receives approximately 52.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Stevia during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Stevia, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Stevia root diseases.

Greene County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Greene County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Stevia Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Sep 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 16

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.

Soil Compatibility in Greene County

How your county's soil matches Stevia's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.5) is more acidic than Stevia prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Greene County is excellent for Stevia — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Stevia.

How to Plant Stevia

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Stevia

4
successive plantings in your 206-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 02 to harvest before frost.

Stevia Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Stevia

Stevia needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Stevia Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Greene County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Stevia Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Stevia needs ~1,200 GDD — county provides 3,296 GDD Excellent fit

Stevia Planting Timeline — Greene County, GA

Stevia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 – May 6
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 – Sep 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.5–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

206 days in Greene County

Growing Tips for Stevia in Greene County

Direct sow Stevia outdoors after April 08 in Greene County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Greene County's clay soil (29% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Stevia. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Common pests for Stevia in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors under lights or buy transplants. Pinch flowers to encourage leaf production. Harvest leaves before flowering for maximum sweetness. Dry leaves for year-round use.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Stevia in Greene County, GA?

Greene County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Stevia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greene County, GA?

Greene County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 31.

When should I plant Stevia in Greene County, GA?

In Greene County, GA, plant Stevia after the last frost (around April 8) and before the first frost (around October 31). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Greene County, GA for Stevia?

Greene County sits in USDA Zone 8b. Stevia grows reliably in zones 8a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Stevia grow in Greene County's climate?

Yes — Stevia grows well in Greene County's temperate climate. Greene County averages a 206-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 8 and first frost around October 31.

🌱

Your Greene County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Greene County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.