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

Planting zone for 31319 — Meridian, GA

ZIP code 31319 (Meridian, McIntosh County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 20 and the first fall frost December 19.

Where ZIP 31319 is

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 frostFeb 20

First frostDec 19

2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Meridian, 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 Meridian, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostDecember 19median — 10% chance by Nov 23

Growing season298 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 3 and returns around January 3.

From the NOAA station Sapelo Is, GA — 7 miles away, elevation 10 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 31319

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 9 – Jan 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 12 – Dec 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 12 – Dec 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 24 – Nov 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 5 – Jan 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 20) and first fall frost (Dec 19) 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 31319 came on Jan 31 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

average
Jan 272026
Jan 31

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.

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 Meridian, GA.

Soil in Meridian, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 31319 is Leon — fine sand, poorly drained.

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

pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Leon fine sand, 0 to 2 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 31319; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Meridian, GA

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low43 °Faverage low, January

Hot days62days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights12nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,930base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 06 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation52.5 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: Sapelo Is, GA (7 mi away); precipitation: Darien 4.2 Nne, GA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

313319a

Townsend, GA · 4 mi

313279a

Sapelo Island, GA · 5 mi

313059a

Darien, GA · 6 mi

315259a

Brunswick, GA · 13 mi

315229a

Saint Simons Island, GA · 14 mi

313239a

Riceboro, GA · 15 mi

315249a

Brunswick, GA · 16 mi

315619a

Sea Island, GA · 18 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 31319

What planting zone is ZIP code 31319?

ZIP code 31319 (Meridian, 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 Meridian, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 31319 is February 20; after March 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sapelo Is station.

When is the first frost in Meridian, GA?

The median first fall frost near 31319 is December 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 298 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 31319?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 26 – Jan 9 and set transplants outside around Feb 27 – Mar 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 31319 get?

About 52.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Darien 4.2 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Meridian, GA?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 62 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 31319 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Leon at the center of ZIP 31319: fine sand, poorly drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Meridian, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 31319 came on Jan 31 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Meridian, GA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 31319 is 14 h 12 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.