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

Planting zone for 30660 — Rayle, GA

ZIP code 30660 (Rayle, Wilkes County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 30660 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 31
First frostNov 6
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 Rayle, 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 Rayle, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 26
Growing season221 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 18 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station Lexington, GA — 12 miles away, elevation 725 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 30660

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 11 – Sep 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 6) 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 30660 came on Feb 15 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9).

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 Rayle, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30660 is Pacolet — sandy clay loam, well drained.

TextureSandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pacolet sandy clay loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded.

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 30660; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rayle, GA

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low32 °Faverage low, January
Hot days64days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights58nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,069base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 24 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 54 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation47.4 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 55 °F, low 32 °F 55°32° JanFebruary: average high 58 °F, low 36 °F 58°36° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 40 °F 66°40° MarApril: average high 74 °F, low 48 °F 74°48° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 57 °F 81°57° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 65 °F 88°65° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 69 °F 91°69° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 68 °F 88°68° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 50 °F 76°50° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 40 °F 65°40° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 35 °F 57°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 JanFebruary: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 FebMarch: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 MarApril: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 MayJune: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 AugSeptember: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 OctNovember: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 NovDecember: 4.57 in precipitation 4.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lexington, GA (12 mi away); precipitation: Rayle 3.0 Nne, GA (4 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.

306488a
Lexington, GA · 9 mi
306738b
Washington, GA · 13 mi
306698b
Union Point, GA · 13 mi
306278a
Carlton, GA · 13 mi
306718b
Maxeys, GA · 14 mi
306678b
Stephens, GA · 14 mi
306308a
Crawford, GA · 15 mi
306688b
Tignall, GA · 16 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30660

What planting zone is ZIP code 30660?

ZIP code 30660 (Rayle, 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 Rayle, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30660 is March 31; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lexington station.

When is the first frost in Rayle, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30660 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 221 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30660?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30660 get?

About 47.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rayle 3.0 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Rayle, GA?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 64 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 30660 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pacolet at the center of ZIP 30660: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Rayle, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30660 came on Feb 15 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rayle, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30660 is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 30660 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 30660 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.