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

Planting zone for Apalachicola, FL

Apalachicola, FL is in USDA zone 9b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is February 15 and the first fall frost December 18.

Apalachicola on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostFeb 15

First frostDec 18

Growing season307 days

9b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Apalachicola, FL…

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 Apalachicola, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 18median — 10% chance by Nov 21

Growing season307 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 31 and returns around January 5.

From the NOAA station Apalachicola Airport, FL, elevation 20 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 Apalachicola

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 7 – Dec 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 7 – Dec 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 23 – Nov 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 4 – Jan 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 15) and first fall frost (Dec 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 32320 came on Jan 24 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24).

average
Jan 242026
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 9b in Florida

477 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Florida, and rated by the USDA to survive 25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9b. 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 Apalachicola, FL.

Soil in Apalachicola, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32320 is Rutlege — fine sand, very poorly drained.

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

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter4.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rutlege 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 32320; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Apalachicola, FL

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days56days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights9nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,119base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 03 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 14 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation53.1 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: Apalachicola Airport, FL (within 1 mile); precipitation: Apalachicola Airport, FL (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Apalachicola

Florida planting zones →

Questions about Apalachicola

What planting zone is Apalachicola, FL?

Apalachicola, FL is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map (9b: 25 to 30 °F).

When is the last frost in Apalachicola, FL?

The median last spring frost is February 15 and the median first fall frost is December 18 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Apalachicola Airport station).

When can I plant a garden in Apalachicola, FL?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 4 – Jan 25; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Feb 22, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Apalachicola, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 03 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Apalachicola, FL get?

About 53.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).