Backyard Gardens Support Local Food Movement in Georgia

The local food movement in Georgia continues to grow in popularity as many folks become more health conscious while others continue their ongoing interest in the origins of what they’re eating. If you have a desire to grow food right in your own backyard or lessen your impact on the environment by buying locally Georgia-grown produce, then you probably know that there is more local produce growing in Georgia than just peaches.

Regional Growth Varies

Depending on your regional location in our great state, from the Southern Coastal plains to the Northern mountains, available crops will vary along with average temperature changes. Seasons start earlier and last longer in the warmest areas, while in colder areas harvest times will start later and end sooner. Georgia’s mild winter and long, slow growing season typically means many fruits and vegetables are available for longer periods, than in other parts of the country.

Atlanta Gardens Produce

The local food movement in the Atlanta area averages 260 growing days each year according to Walter Reeves, the Georgia Gardener. He also notes that while vegetables will each take a certain numbers of days to produce their fruit, you can easily have three harvests. Start with cool season crops like lettuce and carrots in spring, follow with tomatoes, corn and melons in summer and end with onions and turnip greens in fall.

Now Growing this Month

May is a great month to start your Georgia home garden and learn more about the local food movement in your region. Don’t keep waiting to start planting, growing, and harvesting fresh produce in your backyard. As Atlanta Home Builders of 30 years, we think it’s great when we hear home buyers discussing backyard garden plans for their new Brock Built home. Below is a list of Spring & Summer seasonal fruits and vegetables that are grown in Georgia.  

Apples August – November Arugula April – June Asparagus April – June Basil May – September Beans May – October 

Beets April – June Blueberries May – August Broccoli May – June Cantaloupes June – August Collard greens October – June Corn June – July 

Cucumbers June – August Edamame June – September Eggplant June – October Figs July – August Garlic May – October Green garlic March – May Grapes July – October
Lettuce September – June Melons June – September 

Mushrooms Year-round Okra May – October Onions March – November Peaches May – August Peppers June – September Plums & Pluots May – July Potatoes May – August Radishes March – June Summer Squash May – October Strawberries April – June Sweet Onions May and June Sweet potatoes August – February 

Tomatoes June – October Watermelons June – September Zucchini May – October Zucchini Blossoms May – September