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

Planting zone for 31784 — Sale City, GA

ZIP code 31784 (Sale City, Mitchell County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost November 18.

Where ZIP 31784 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 10
First frostNov 18
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 Sale City, 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 Sale City, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 18median — 10% chance by Nov 1
Growing season254 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 25 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Camilla 3 Se, GA — 10 miles away, elevation 174 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 31784

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 23 – Oct 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 4 – Dec 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 10) and first fall frost (Nov 18) 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 31784 came on Jan 27 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (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.

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 Sale City, GA.

Soil in Sale City, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 31784 is Tifton — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tifton loamy sand, 2 to 5 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 31784; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sale City, GA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low38 °Faverage low, January
Hot days64days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights33nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,228base 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
Precipitation51.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 38 °F 60°38° JanFebruary: average high 64 °F, low 41 °F 64°41° FebMarch: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° AprMay: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 69 °F 89°69° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 72 °F 90°72° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 71 °F 90°71° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 67 °F 86°67° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° OctNovember: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° NovDecember: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.00 in precipitation 5.0 JanFebruary: 4.76 in precipitation 4.8 FebMarch: 5.21 in precipitation 5.2 MarApril: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 2.30 in precipitation 2.3 MayJune: 5.56 in precipitation 5.6 JunJuly: 5.25 in precipitation 5.3 JulAugust: 5.28 in precipitation 5.3 AugSeptember: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 2.75 in precipitation 2.8 OctNovember: 3.19 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 4.24 in precipitation 4.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Camilla 3 Se, GA (10 mi away); precipitation: Camilla 3 Se, GA (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 31784

What planting zone is ZIP code 31784?

ZIP code 31784 (Sale City, 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 Sale City, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 31784 is March 10; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Camilla 3 Se station.

When is the first frost in Sale City, GA?

The median first fall frost near 31784 is November 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 254 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 31784?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 13 – Jan 27 and set transplants outside around Mar 17 – Mar 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 31784 get?

About 51.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Camilla 3 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Sale City, GA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 64 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 31784 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tifton at the center of ZIP 31784: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sale City, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 31784 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 Sale City, GA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 31784 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 31784 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 31784 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.