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

Planting zone for 31313 — Hinesville, GA

ZIP code 31313 (Hinesville, Liberty County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost November 29.

Where ZIP 31313 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C
Last frostMar 5
First frostNov 29
2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hinesville, 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 Hinesville, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 29median — 10% chance by Nov 11
Growing season269 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 17 and returns around December 17.

From the NOAA station Ft Stewart, GA — 2 miles away, elevation 92 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 31313

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 4 – Oct 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 15 – Dec 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 5) and first fall frost (Nov 29) 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 31313 came on Jan 27 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28).

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 9a in Georgia

603 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Georgia, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 90

Shrubs 146

Wildflowers & perennials 176

Grasses 164

Vines 13

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 Hinesville, GA.

Soil in Hinesville, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 31313 is Rutlege — sand, very poorly drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter6%high
Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rutlege fine sand.

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 31313; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hinesville, GA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low41 °Faverage low, January
Hot days94days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights21nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,744base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 14 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 04 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation51 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° JanFebruary: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° FebMarch: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 70 °F 89°70° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 73 °F 92°73° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 73 °F 90°73° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 69 °F 87°69° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° OctNovember: average high 71 °F, low 49 °F 71°49° NovDecember: average high 65 °F, low 43 °F 65°43° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 JanFebruary: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 FebMarch: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 MarApril: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 MayJune: 6.67 in precipitation 6.7 JunJuly: 5.71 in precipitation 5.7 JulAugust: 6.61 in precipitation 6.6 AugSeptember: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 4.73 in precipitation 4.7 OctNovember: 2.57 in precipitation 2.6 NovDecember: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ft Stewart, GA (2 mi away); precipitation: Ft Stewart, GA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

All 2 ZIP codes in Hinesville → · Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 31313

What planting zone is ZIP code 31313?

ZIP code 31313 (Hinesville, GA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Hinesville, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 31313 is March 5; after March 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ft Stewart station.

When is the first frost in Hinesville, GA?

The median first fall frost near 31313 is November 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 269 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 31313?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 8 – Jan 22 and set transplants outside around Mar 12 – Mar 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 31313 get?

About 51 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ft Stewart station).

How hot do summers get in Hinesville, GA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 94 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 31313 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rutlege at the center of ZIP 31313: sand, very poorly drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hinesville, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 31313 came on Jan 27 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hinesville, GA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 31313 is 14 h 14 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 31313 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 31313 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.