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

Planting zone for 39837 — Colquitt, GA

ZIP code 39837 (Colquitt, Baker County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost November 19.

Where ZIP 39837 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 7

First frostNov 19

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 Colquitt, 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 Colquitt, GA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 19median — 10% chance by Nov 3

Growing season259 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 20 and returns around December 6.

From the NOAA station Newton 11 Sw, GA — 14 miles away, elevation 157 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 39837

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 24 – Oct 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 5 – Dec 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 7) and first fall frost (Nov 19) 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 39837 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 Colquitt, GA.

Soil in Colquitt, GA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 39837 is Grady — sandy loam, poorly drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Grady soils.

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 39837; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Colquitt, GA

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low39 °Faverage low, January

Hot days79days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights28nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,394base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 10 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

Precipitation49.5 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: Newton 11 Sw, GA (14 mi away); precipitation: Newton 11 Sw, GA (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

398419a

Damascus, GA · 10 mi

398599a

Iron City, GA · 14 mi

398179a

Bainbridge, GA · 15 mi

Arlington, GA · 19 mi

398459a

Donalsonville, GA · 19 mi

398708b

Newton, GA · 20 mi

Georgia planting zones →

Questions about 39837

What planting zone is ZIP code 39837?

ZIP code 39837 (Colquitt, 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 Colquitt, GA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 39837 is March 7; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newton 11 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Colquitt, GA?

The median first fall frost near 39837 is November 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 259 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 39837?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 10 – Jan 24 and set transplants outside around Mar 14 – Mar 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 39837 get?

About 49.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newton 11 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Colquitt, GA?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 79 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 39837 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Grady at the center of ZIP 39837: sandy loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Colquitt, GA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 39837 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 Colquitt, GA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 39837 is 14 h 10 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 39837 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 39837 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.