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

Planting zone for 31039 — Howard, GA

ZIP code 31039 (Howard, Taylor County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 31039 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 frostApr 1

First frostNov 3

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 Howard, 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 Howard, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 22

Growing season216 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 17 and returns around November 15.

From the NOAA station Talbotton, GA — 10 miles away, elevation 620 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 31039

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 8 – Sep 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 20 – Nov 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 3) 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 31039 came on Feb 12 — 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

average
Feb 42026
Feb 12

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 Howard, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 31039 is Kinston — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kinston silt loam, occasionally flooded.

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 31039; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Howard, GA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days47days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights54nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,940base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 18 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 00 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation52.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Talbotton, GA (10 mi away); precipitation: Butler 8.3 Nnw, GA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

318128b

Junction City, GA · 3 mi

Talbotton, GA · 10 mi

318018b

Box Springs, GA · 14 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 31039

What planting zone is ZIP code 31039?

ZIP code 31039 (Howard, 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 Howard, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 31039 is April 1; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Talbotton station.

When is the first frost in Howard, GA?

The median first fall frost near 31039 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 216 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 31039?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 4 – Feb 18 and set transplants outside around Apr 8 – Apr 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 31039 get?

About 52.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Butler 8.3 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Howard, GA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 47 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 31039 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kinston at the center of ZIP 31039: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Howard, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 31039 came on Feb 12 in 2026, 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Howard, GA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 31039 is 14 h 18 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 31039 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 31039 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.