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

Planting zone for 30285 — The Rock, GA

ZIP code 30285 (The Rock, Upson County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost November 14.

Where ZIP 30285 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMar 18
First frostNov 14
2012 zone8a

Was 8a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for The Rock, GA…

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 The Rock, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 14median — 10% chance by Oct 31
Growing season239 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 4 and returns around November 29.

From the NOAA station The Rock Rch, GA — 2 miles away, elevation 820 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 30285

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 19 – Oct 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 31 – Dec 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 18) and first fall frost (Nov 14) 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 30285 came on Feb 14 — 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

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).

Soil in The Rock, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30285 is Wickham — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Starr (Wickham) soils.

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 30285; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in The Rock, GA

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights36nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,389base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 20 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 58 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation50.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° JanFebruary: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 50 °F 75°50° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 67 °F 87°67° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 70 °F 91°70° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 70 °F 89°70° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 52 °F 76°52° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 JanFebruary: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 FebMarch: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 MarApril: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 AprMay: 2.95 in precipitation 3.0 MayJune: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.70 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 5.12 in precipitation 5.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: The Rock Rch, GA (2 mi away); precipitation: The Rock 1.0 N, GA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

302568b
Meansville, GA · 3 mi
302958b
Zebulon, GA · 8 mi
302868b
Thomaston, GA · 9 mi
310978b
Yatesville, GA · 9 mi
302048b
Barnesville, GA · 9 mi
302578b
Milner, GA · 12 mi
302588b
Molena, GA · 12 mi
302068b
Concord, GA · 14 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30285

What planting zone is ZIP code 30285?

ZIP code 30285 (The Rock, GA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in The Rock, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30285 is March 18; after April 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, The Rock Rch station.

When is the first frost in The Rock, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30285 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 239 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30285?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 21 – Feb 4 and set transplants outside around Mar 25 – Apr 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30285 get?

About 50.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, The Rock 1.0 N station).

How hot do summers get in The Rock, GA?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 30285 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wickham at the center of ZIP 30285: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in The Rock, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30285 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in The Rock, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30285 is 14 h 20 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 30285 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 30285 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.