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

Planting zone for 31055 — Mc Rae Helena, GA

ZIP code 31055 (Mc Rae Helena, Telfair County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost November 17.

Where ZIP 31055 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 12
First frostNov 17
2012 zone8b

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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Mc Rae Helena, 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 Mc Rae Helena, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Nov 1
Growing season251 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 24 and returns around December 4.

From the NOAA station Hazlehurst, GA — 19 miles away, elevation 249 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 31055

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 22 – Oct 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 3 – Dec 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 12) and first fall frost (Nov 17) 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 31055 came on Feb 2 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30).

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 Mc Rae Helena, GA.

Soil in Mc Rae Helena, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 31055 is Kinston — loam, poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kinston-Bibb association, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently 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 31055; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mc Rae Helena, GA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low38 °Faverage low, January
Hot days83days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights33nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,270base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 15 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 03 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation46.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 38 °F 60°38° JanFebruary: average high 64 °F, low 41 °F 64°41° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° MarApril: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° MayJune: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 72 °F 92°72° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° OctNovember: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° NovDecember: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 JanFebruary: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 FebMarch: 4.47 in precipitation 4.5 MarApril: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 AprMay: 3.02 in precipitation 3.0 MayJune: 5.30 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 5.00 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 3.87 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 2.72 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hazlehurst, GA (19 mi away); precipitation: Mcrae 6.6 Se, GA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

310838b
Scotland, GA · 5 mi
310378b
Mc Rae Helena, GA · 10 mi
315498b
Lumber City, GA · 10 mi
310608b
Milan, GA · 10 mi
304118b
Alamo, GA · 11 mi
315448b
Jacksonville, GA · 11 mi
310118b
Chauncey, GA · 14 mi
310778b
Rhine, GA · 17 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Mc Rae Helena → · Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 31055

What planting zone is ZIP code 31055?

ZIP code 31055 (Mc Rae Helena, 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 Mc Rae Helena, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 31055 is March 12; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hazlehurst station.

When is the first frost in Mc Rae Helena, GA?

The median first fall frost near 31055 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 251 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 31055?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 15 – Jan 29 and set transplants outside around Mar 19 – Apr 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 31055 get?

About 46.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mcrae 6.6 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Mc Rae Helena, GA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 83 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 31055 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kinston at the center of ZIP 31055: loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Mc Rae Helena, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 31055 came on Feb 2 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mc Rae Helena, GA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 31055 is 14 h 15 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.