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

Planting zone for 31547 — Kings Bay, GA

ZIP code 31547 (Kings Bay, Camden County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 19 and the first fall frost December 14.

Where ZIP 31547 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 frostFeb 19

First frostDec 14

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 Kings Bay, 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 Kings Bay, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 14median — 10% chance by Nov 21

Growing season299 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Brunswick 23 S, GA — 4 miles away, elevation 26 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 31547

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 11 – Dec 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 29 – Feb 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 11 – Dec 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 19 – Nov 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 30 – Jan 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 19) and first fall frost (Dec 14) 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 31547 came on Jan 24 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25).

average
Jan 252026
Jan 24

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 Kings Bay, GA.

Soil in Kings Bay, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 31547 is Mandarin — fine sand, somewhat poorly drained.

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

pH4.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mandarin 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 31547; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kings Bay, GA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low43 °Faverage low, January

Hot days40days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights12nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,698base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 09 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation47.2 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: Brunswick 23 S, GA (4 mi away); precipitation: Brunswick 23 S, GA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

315589a

Saint Marys, GA · 2 mi

320359b

Fernandina Beach, FL · 9 mi

315489a

Kingsland, GA · 11 mi

Fernandina Beach, FL · 13 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 31547

What planting zone is ZIP code 31547?

ZIP code 31547 (Kings Bay, 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 Kings Bay, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 31547 is February 19; after March 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brunswick 23 S station.

When is the first frost in Kings Bay, GA?

The median first fall frost near 31547 is December 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 299 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 31547?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 25 – Jan 8 and set transplants outside around Feb 26 – Mar 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 31547 get?

About 47.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brunswick 23 S station).

How hot do summers get in Kings Bay, GA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 40 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 31547 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mandarin at the center of ZIP 31547: fine sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 4.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Kings Bay, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 31547 came on Jan 24 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Kings Bay, GA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 31547 is 14 h 09 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.