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

Planting zone for 31502 — Waycross, GA

ZIP code 31502 (Waycross, Ware County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost November 17.

Where ZIP 31502 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 frostMar 15

First frostNov 17

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 Waycross, 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 Waycross, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Oct 31

Growing season246 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 1 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Waycross 4 Ne, GA — 4 miles away, elevation 144 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 31502

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

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 15) 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 31502 came on Jan 27 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

average
Jan 272026
Jan 27

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 Waycross, GA.

Soil in Waycross, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 31502 is Leefield — loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained.

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

pH4.7strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Leefield loamy sand, 0 to 3 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 31502; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Waycross, GA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days103days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights41nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,610base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 11 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 07 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation50.4 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: Waycross 4 Ne, GA (4 mi away); precipitation: Waycross 4 Ne, GA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Blackshear, GA · 9 mi

Patterson, GA · 19 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Waycross → · Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 31502

What planting zone is ZIP code 31502?

ZIP code 31502 (Waycross, 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 Waycross, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 31502 is March 15; after April 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waycross 4 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Waycross, GA?

The median first fall frost near 31502 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 246 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 31502?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 18 – Feb 1 and set transplants outside around Mar 22 – Apr 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 31502 get?

About 50.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waycross 4 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Waycross, GA?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 103 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 31502 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Leefield at the center of ZIP 31502: loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 4.7 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Waycross, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 31502 came on Jan 27 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Waycross, GA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 31502 is 14 h 11 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 31502 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 31502 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.