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

Planting zone for 30999 — Augusta, GA

ZIP code 30999 (Augusta, Richmond County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is February 27 and the first fall frost December 4.

Where ZIP 30999 is

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 frostFeb 27
First frostDec 4
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 Augusta, 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 Augusta, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 4median — 10% chance by Nov 15
Growing season283 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 8 and returns around December 26.

From the NOAA station Augusta Daniel Field Airport, GA — 6 miles away, elevation 423 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 30999

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 16 – Feb 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 19 – Jan 2
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 19 – Jan 2
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 9 – Oct 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 20 – Dec 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 27) and first fall frost (Dec 4) 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 30999 came on Feb 12 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

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

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FAtlantic white cedar50 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Shrubs 143

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 174

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °FAmerican water horehound1.8 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 159

American cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbig cordgrass8 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −3 °F

Vines 13

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Augusta, GA.

Soil in Augusta, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 30999 is Vaucluse — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Vaucluse-Ailey complex, 5 to 8 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 30999; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Augusta, GA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July
Winter low40 °Faverage low, January
Hot days80days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights20nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,606base 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
Precipitation44.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 58 °F, low 40 °F 58°40° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 43 °F 62°43° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 49 °F 69°49° MarApril: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 74 °F 94°74° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 73 °F 92°73° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 69 °F 87°69° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 58 °F 78°58° OctNovember: average high 68 °F, low 48 °F 68°48° NovDecember: average high 60 °F, low 42 °F 60°42° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 2.91 in precipitation 2.9 AprMay: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 MayJune: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.80 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 5.02 in precipitation 5.0 AugSeptember: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 2.69 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 2.75 in precipitation 2.8 NovDecember: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Augusta Daniel Field Airport, GA (6 mi away); precipitation: Augusta Daniel Field Airport, GA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

309038b
Augusta, GA · <1 mi
309148b
Augusta, GA · <1 mi
309168b
Augusta, GA · <1 mi
309198b
Augusta, GA · <1 mi
309058b
Augusta, GA · 4 mi
308128b
Gracewood, GA · 4 mi
309098b
Augusta, GA · 6 mi
308158b
Hephzibah, GA · 7 mi

All 12 ZIP codes in Augusta → · Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 30999

What planting zone is ZIP code 30999?

ZIP code 30999 (Augusta, 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 Augusta, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 30999 is February 27; after March 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Augusta Daniel Field Airport station.

When is the first frost in Augusta, GA?

The median first fall frost near 30999 is December 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 283 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 30999?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 2 – Jan 16 and set transplants outside around Mar 6 – Mar 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 30999 get?

About 44.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Augusta Daniel Field Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Augusta, GA?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 80 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 30999 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vaucluse at the center of ZIP 30999: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Augusta, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 30999 came on Feb 12 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Augusta, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 30999 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 30999 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 30999 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.