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

Planting zone for 39818 — Bainbridge, GA

ZIP code 39818 (Bainbridge, Decatur County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost November 17.

Where ZIP 39818 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 14

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 Bainbridge, 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 Bainbridge, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 14median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Nov 3

Growing season250 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 28 and returns around December 2.

From the NOAA station Bainbridge Intl Paper, GA — 5 miles away, elevation 190 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 39818

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

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 14) 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 39818 came on Jan 27 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

average
Jan 262026
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 Bainbridge, GA.

Soil in Bainbridge, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 39818 is Orangeburg — loamy sand, well drained.

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

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Orangeburg 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 39818; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bainbridge, GA

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days99days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights39nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,608base 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

Precipitation56.9 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: Bainbridge Intl Paper, GA (5 mi away); precipitation: Donalsonville 17.7 S, GA (19 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

398179a

Bainbridge, GA · 5 mi

Bainbridge, GA · 8 mi

398259a

Brinson, GA · 11 mi

398159a

Attapulgus, GA · 11 mi

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

Questions about 39818

What planting zone is ZIP code 39818?

ZIP code 39818 (Bainbridge, 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 Bainbridge, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 39818 is March 14; after April 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bainbridge Intl Paper station.

When is the first frost in Bainbridge, GA?

The median first fall frost near 39818 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 250 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 39818?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 17 – Jan 31 and set transplants outside around Mar 21 – Apr 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 39818 get?

About 56.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Donalsonville 17.7 S station).

How hot do summers get in Bainbridge, GA?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 99 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 39818 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Orangeburg at the center of ZIP 39818: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Bainbridge, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 39818 came on Jan 27 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bainbridge, GA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 39818 is 14 h 09 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 39818 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 39818 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.