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

Planting zone for 30677 — Watkinsville, GA

ZIP code 30677 (Watkinsville, Oconee County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 30677 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 24
First frostNov 12
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 Watkinsville, 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 Watkinsville, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 31
Growing season234 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 5 and returns around November 28.

From the NOAA station Watkinsville 5 Sse, GA — within 1 mile, elevation 742 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 30677

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 12) 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 30677 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 Watkinsville, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30677 is Madison — 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 matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Madison sandy clay loam, 10 to 25 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 30677; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Watkinsville, GA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days52days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights45nights 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
Precipitation47.8 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 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° JanFebruary: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 43 °F 65°43° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 68 °F 88°68° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 37 °F 56°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 JanFebruary: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 FebMarch: 4.63 in precipitation 4.6 MarApril: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 2.72 in precipitation 2.7 MayJune: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 NovDecember: 4.88 in precipitation 4.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Watkinsville 5 Sse, GA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Watkinsville 5 Sse, GA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

306388a
Farmington, GA · 3 mi
306218a
Bishop, GA · 6 mi
306458a
High Shoals, GA · 8 mi
306058a
Athens, GA · 9 mi
306238a
Bostwick, GA · 9 mi
306198a
Arnoldsville, GA · 9 mi
306098a
Athens, GA · 10 mi
306418a
Good Hope, GA · 11 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30677

What planting zone is ZIP code 30677?

ZIP code 30677 (Watkinsville, 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 Watkinsville, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30677 is March 24; after April 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Watkinsville 5 Sse station.

When is the first frost in Watkinsville, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30677 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 234 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30677?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 27 – Feb 10 and set transplants outside around Mar 31 – Apr 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30677 get?

About 47.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Watkinsville 5 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Watkinsville, GA?

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

What kind of soil does 30677 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Madison at the center of ZIP 30677: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Watkinsville, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30677 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 Watkinsville, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30677 is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.