Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Tifton, GA

Tifton, GA is in USDA zone 9a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost November 19.

Tifton on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostMar 11

First frostNov 19

Growing season254 days

9a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Tifton, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMarch 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 29only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 19median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season254 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 26 and returns around December 8.

From the NOAA station Tifton, GA, elevation 381 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Tifton

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 24 – Oct 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 5 – Dec 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 11) and first fall frost (Nov 19) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 31793 came on Jan 27 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30).

average
Jan 302026
Jan 27

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 9a in Georgia

603 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Georgia, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Tifton, GA.

Soil in Tifton, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 31793 is Kinston — fine sandy loam, poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kinston and Osier fine sandy loams.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 31793; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tifton, GA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days74days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights30nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,879base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 06 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation48.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Tifton, GA (6 mi away); precipitation: Tifton, GA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Tifton

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about Tifton

What planting zone is Tifton, GA?

Tifton, GA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map (9a: 20 to 25 °F).

When is the last frost in Tifton, GA?

The median last spring frost is March 11 and the median first fall frost is November 19 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tifton station).

When can I plant a garden in Tifton, GA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 28 – Feb 18; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 18, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Tifton, GA?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 12 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Tifton, GA get?

About 48.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).