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

Planting zone for 30565 — Nicholson, GA

ZIP code 30565 (Nicholson, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 30565 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 29
First frostNov 7
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 Nicholson, 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 Nicholson, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 29median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 25
Growing season224 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 15 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Danielsville, GA — 6 miles away, elevation 781 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 30565

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 29) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 30565 came on Feb 16 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12).

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 Nicholson, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30565 is Cecil — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Cecil sandy loam, 6 to 10 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 30565; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Nicholson, GA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low32 °Faverage low, January
Hot days46days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights60nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,782base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 26 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 53 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation51.5 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 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° JanFebruary: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° FebMarch: average high 64 °F, low 40 °F 64°40° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 48 °F 72°48° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F 89°68° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 50 °F 73°50° OctNovember: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 JanFebruary: 4.51 in precipitation 4.5 FebMarch: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 MarApril: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.95 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 4.77 in precipitation 4.8 AugSeptember: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 SepOctober: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 NovDecember: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Danielsville, GA (6 mi away); precipitation: Nicholson 4.9 Se, GA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

306078b
Athens, GA · 5 mi
306468b
Hull, GA · 6 mi
306018b
Athens, GA · 7 mi
305998a
Commerce, GA · 9 mi
306038b
Athens, GA · 9 mi
306478a
Ila, GA · 9 mi
305308a
Commerce, GA · 9 mi
305498b
Jefferson, GA · 10 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30565

What planting zone is ZIP code 30565?

ZIP code 30565 (Nicholson, 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 Nicholson, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30565 is March 29; after April 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Danielsville station.

When is the first frost in Nicholson, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30565 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 224 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30565?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 1 – Feb 15 and set transplants outside around Apr 5 – Apr 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30565 get?

About 51.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Nicholson 4.9 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Nicholson, GA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 46 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 30565 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cecil at the center of ZIP 30565: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Nicholson, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30565 came on Feb 16 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Nicholson, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30565 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 30565 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 30565 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.