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

Planting zone for 30421 — Collins, GA

ZIP code 30421 (Collins, Tattnall County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost November 27.

Where ZIP 30421 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C
Last frostMar 2
First frostNov 27
2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Collins, 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 Collins, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 27median — 10% chance by Nov 7
Growing season269 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 12 and returns around December 16.

From the NOAA station Metter, GA — 15 miles away, elevation 121 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 30421

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 2 – Oct 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 13 – Dec 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 2) and first fall frost (Nov 27) 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 30421 came on Feb 2 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30).

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.

Trees 90

Shrubs 146

Wildflowers & perennials 176

Grasses 164

Vines 13

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 Collins, GA.

Soil in Collins, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30421 is Tifton — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tifton loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes.

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 30421; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Collins, GA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low39 °Faverage low, January
Hot days82days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights24nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,467base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 16 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 02 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation49.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 39 °F 60°39° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° MarApril: average high 78 °F, low 54 °F 78°54° AprMay: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 70 °F 91°70° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 73 °F 92°73° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 73 °F 91°73° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 68 °F 86°68° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° NovDecember: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 JanFebruary: 3.87 in precipitation 3.9 FebMarch: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 MarApril: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 5.74 in precipitation 5.7 JunJuly: 5.08 in precipitation 5.1 JulAugust: 6.19 in precipitation 6.2 AugSeptember: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 SepOctober: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 2.77 in precipitation 2.8 NovDecember: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Metter, GA (15 mi away); precipitation: Bellville 2.8 N, GA (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30421

What planting zone is ZIP code 30421?

ZIP code 30421 (Collins, GA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Collins, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30421 is March 2; after March 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Metter station.

When is the first frost in Collins, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30421 is November 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 269 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30421?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 5 – Jan 19 and set transplants outside around Mar 9 – Mar 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30421 get?

About 49.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bellville 2.8 N station).

How hot do summers get in Collins, GA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 82 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 30421 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tifton at the center of ZIP 30421: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Collins, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30421 came on Feb 2 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Collins, GA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 30421 is 14 h 16 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 30421 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 30421 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.