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

Planting zone for 30663 — Rutledge, GA

ZIP code 30663 (Rutledge, Morgan County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost November 14.

Where ZIP 30663 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostMar 22

First frostNov 14

2012 zone8a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Rutledge, 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 Rutledge, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 14median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season238 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 28.

From the NOAA station Covington, GA — 14 miles away, elevation 768 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 30663

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

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 22) 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 30663 came on Feb 15 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9).

average
Feb 92026
Feb 15

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 8a in Georgia

572 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Georgia, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Rutledge, GA.

Soil in Rutledge, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30663 is Cecil — sandy clay loam, well drained.

TextureSandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

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 classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cecil sandy clay loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes, severely 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 30663; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rutledge, GA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days52days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights62nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,197base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 23 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 55 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation50.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Covington, GA (14 mi away); precipitation: Covington, GA (14 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.

300258b

Social Circle, GA · 6 mi

Good Hope, GA · 11 mi

300558a

Mansfield, GA · 12 mi

306558b

Monroe, GA · 13 mi

300148b

Covington, GA · 13 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30663

What planting zone is ZIP code 30663?

ZIP code 30663 (Rutledge, GA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Rutledge, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30663 is March 22; after April 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Covington station.

When is the first frost in Rutledge, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30663 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 238 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30663?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 25 – Feb 8 and set transplants outside around Mar 29 – Apr 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30663 get?

About 50.5 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Covington station).

How hot do summers get in Rutledge, GA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 52 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 30663 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cecil at the center of ZIP 30663: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Rutledge, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30663 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 Rutledge, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30663 is 14 h 23 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.