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

Planting zone for 31518 — Bristol, GA

ZIP code 31518 (Bristol, Pierce County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost November 16.

Where ZIP 31518 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 17

First frostNov 16

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 Bristol, 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 Bristol, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 16median — 10% chance by Oct 28

Growing season245 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Surrency, GA — 14 miles away, elevation 200 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 31518

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 24

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 21 – Oct 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 2 – Dec 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 17) and first fall frost (Nov 16) 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 31518 came on Jan 27 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28).

average
Jan 282026
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 Bristol, GA.

Soil in Bristol, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 31518 is Irvington — loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained.

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

pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.9%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Irvington loamy 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 31518; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bristol, GA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low39 °Faverage low, January

Hot days77days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights36nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,314base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 05 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51.2 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: Surrency, GA (14 mi away); precipitation: Screven 2.3 Ene, GA (12 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.

Patterson, GA · 11 mi

315459a

Jesup, GA · 12 mi

315168b

Blackshear, GA · 15 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 31518

What planting zone is ZIP code 31518?

ZIP code 31518 (Bristol, 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 Bristol, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 31518 is March 17; after April 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Surrency station.

When is the first frost in Bristol, GA?

The median first fall frost near 31518 is November 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 245 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 31518?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 20 – Feb 3 and set transplants outside around Mar 24 – Apr 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 31518 get?

About 51.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Screven 2.3 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Bristol, GA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 77 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 31518 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Irvington at the center of ZIP 31518: loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bristol, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 31518 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 Bristol, GA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 31518 is 14 h 12 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 31518 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 31518 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.