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

Planting zone for 31201 — Macon, GA

ZIP code 31201 (Macon, Bibb County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 31201 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 21
First frostNov 10
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 Macon, 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 Macon, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 29
Growing season235 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 3 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Macon Middle Ga Regional Airport, GA — 9 miles away, elevation 345 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 31201

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 15 – Sep 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 21) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 31201 came on Feb 11 — 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3).

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 Macon, GA.

Soil in Macon, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 31201 is Chewacla — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Chewacla association.

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 31201; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Macon, GA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, January
Hot days85days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights44nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,077base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 19 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 59 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation51.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 39 °F 63°39° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 45 °F 71°45° MarApril: average high 78 °F, low 51 °F 78°51° AprMay: average high 86 °F, low 60 °F 86°60° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 68 °F 91°68° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 72 °F 94°72° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 71 °F 92°71° AugSeptember: average high 88 °F, low 65 °F 88°65° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 53 °F 79°53° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° NovDecember: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 JanFebruary: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 FebMarch: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 MarApril: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 AprMay: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 MayJune: 4.99 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 4.93 in precipitation 4.9 JulAugust: 4.55 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 3.11 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Macon Middle Ga Regional Airport, GA (9 mi away); precipitation: Macon 6.3 E, GA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

312028b
Macon, GA · 3 mi
312218b
Macon, GA · 3 mi
312948b
Macon, GA · 3 mi
312138b
Macon, GA · 3 mi
312958b
Macon, GA · 3 mi
312068b
Macon, GA · 4 mi
312038b
Macon, GA · 4 mi
312058b
Macon, GA · 4 mi

All 19 ZIP codes in Macon → · Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 31201

What planting zone is ZIP code 31201?

ZIP code 31201 (Macon, 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 Macon, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 31201 is March 21; after April 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Macon Middle Ga Regional Airport station.

When is the first frost in Macon, GA?

The median first fall frost near 31201 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 235 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 31201?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 24 – Feb 7 and set transplants outside around Mar 28 – Apr 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 31201 get?

About 51.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Macon 6.3 E station).

How hot do summers get in Macon, GA?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 85 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 31201 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chewacla at the center of ZIP 31201: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Macon, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 31201 came on Feb 11 in 2026, 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Macon, GA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 31201 is 14 h 19 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 31201 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 31201 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.