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

Planting zone for 30814 — Harlem, GA

ZIP code 30814 (Harlem, Columbia County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 30814 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 27
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 Harlem, 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 Harlem, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 26
Growing season226 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 13 and returns around November 18.

From the NOAA station Appling 2 Nw, GA — 9 miles away, elevation 397 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 30814

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Mar 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
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 27) 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 30814 came on Feb 14 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7).

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 8b in Georgia

590 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Georgia, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 89

Shrubs 143

Wildflowers & perennials 174

Grasses 159

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 Harlem, GA.

Soil in Harlem, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30814 is Grover — 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 matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Grover sandy loam, 2 to 6 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 30814; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Harlem, GA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low32 °Faverage low, January
Hot days59days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights66nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,414base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 22 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 56 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation47.1 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 57 °F, low 32 °F 57°32° JanFebruary: average high 61 °F, low 36 °F 61°36° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 41 °F 69°41° MarApril: average high 76 °F, low 49 °F 76°49° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 58 °F 83°58° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 70 °F 92°70° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° SepOctober: average high 77 °F, low 51 °F 77°51° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 40 °F 67°40° NovDecember: average high 59 °F, low 35 °F 59°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.09 in precipitation 4.1 JanFebruary: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 FebMarch: 4.80 in precipitation 4.8 MarApril: 3.11 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 MayJune: 4.65 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 4.70 in precipitation 4.7 AugSeptember: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 2.97 in precipitation 3.0 OctNovember: 3.04 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Appling 2 Nw, GA (9 mi away); precipitation: Appling 2.0 Se, GA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30814

What planting zone is ZIP code 30814?

ZIP code 30814 (Harlem, 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 Harlem, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30814 is March 27; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Appling 2 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Harlem, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30814 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 226 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30814?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 30 – Feb 13 and set transplants outside around Apr 3 – Apr 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30814 get?

About 47.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Appling 2.0 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Harlem, GA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 59 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 30814 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Grover at the center of ZIP 30814: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Harlem, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30814 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Harlem, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30814 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 30814 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 30814 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.