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

Planting zone for 31083 — Scotland, GA

ZIP code 31083 (Scotland, 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 31083 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 Scotland, 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 Scotland, 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 — 18 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 31083

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 31083 came on Feb 2 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

average
Jan 312026
Feb 2

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.

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 Scotland, GA.

Soil in Scotland, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 31083 is Pelham — loamy sand, poorly drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pelham loamy sand, 0 to 1 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 31083; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Scotland, 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

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hazlehurst, GA (18 mi away); precipitation: Mcrae 6.6 Se, GA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

310558b

Mc Rae Helena, GA · 5 mi

304118b

Alamo, GA · 6 mi

310378b

Mc Rae Helena, GA · 9 mi

315498b

Lumber City, GA · 10 mi

Jacksonville, GA · 16 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 31083

What planting zone is ZIP code 31083?

ZIP code 31083 (Scotland, 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 Scotland, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 31083 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 Scotland, GA?

The median first fall frost near 31083 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 251 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 31083?

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 31083 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Scotland, 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 31083 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pelham at the center of ZIP 31083: loamy sand, poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Scotland, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 31083 came on Feb 2 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Scotland, GA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 31083 is 14 h 15 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.