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

Planting zone for 31909 — Columbus, GA

ZIP code 31909 (Columbus, Muscogee County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 31909 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMar 21
First frostNov 11
2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Columbus, 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 Columbus, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 31
Growing season238 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Columbus #2, GA — 2 miles away, elevation 436 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 31909

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 16 – Sep 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 21) and first fall frost (Nov 11) 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 31909 came on Feb 12 — 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

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 8b in Georgia

590 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Georgia, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 89

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FAtlantic white cedar50 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Shrubs 143

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 174

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °FAmerican water horehound1.8 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 159

American cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbig cordgrass8 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −3 °F

Vines 13

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Columbus, GA.

Soil in Columbus, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 31909 is Cecil — sandy clay loam, well drained.

TextureSandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cecil sandy clay loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded.

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 31909; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Columbus, GA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low33 °Faverage low, January
Hot days80days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights46nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,599base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 18 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 00 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation51.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 58 °F, low 33 °F 58°33° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 36 °F 62°36° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 49 °F 77°49° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 59 °F 83°59° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 70 °F 92°70° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 70 °F 90°70° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° OctNovember: average high 68 °F, low 41 °F 68°41° NovDecember: average high 60 °F, low 36 °F 60°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 JanFebruary: 4.85 in precipitation 4.8 FebMarch: 5.24 in precipitation 5.2 MarApril: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 AprMay: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 MayJune: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.62 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 NovDecember: 5.16 in precipitation 5.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Columbus #2, GA (2 mi away); precipitation: Columbus #2, GA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

319088b
Columbus, GA · 1 mi
319028b
Columbus, GA · 3 mi
319958b
Fort Benning, GA · 4 mi
319078b
Columbus, GA · 5 mi
319148b
Columbus, GA · 5 mi
319178b
Columbus, GA · 5 mi
319978b
Columbus, GA · 5 mi
319988b
Columbus, GA · 5 mi

All 14 ZIP codes in Columbus → · Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 31909

What planting zone is ZIP code 31909?

ZIP code 31909 (Columbus, GA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Columbus, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 31909 is March 21; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Columbus #2 station.

When is the first frost in Columbus, GA?

The median first fall frost near 31909 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 238 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 31909?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 24 – Feb 7 and set transplants outside around Mar 28 – Apr 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 31909 get?

About 51.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Columbus #2 station).

How hot do summers get in Columbus, GA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 80 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 31909 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cecil at the center of ZIP 31909: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Columbus, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 31909 came on Feb 12 in 2026, 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Columbus, GA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 31909 is 14 h 18 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 31909 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 31909 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.