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

Planting zone for Lake Placid, FL

Lake Placid, FL is in USDA zone 9b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost December 22.

Lake Placid 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 26

First frostDec 22

Growing season300 days

9b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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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 Lake Placid, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostDecember 22median — 10% chance by Nov 27

Growing season300 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 4 and returns around January 7.

From the NOAA station Archbold Bio Stn, FL, elevation 141 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 Lake Placid

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Feb 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 18 – Jan 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 18 – Jan 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 27 – Nov 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 8 – Jan 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 26) and first fall frost (Dec 22) 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 33862 came on Jan 12 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 15).

average
Jan 152026
Jan 12

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 Lake Placid, FL.

Soil in Lake Placid, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 33862 is Astatula — sand, excessively drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Astatula-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 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 33862; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lake Placid, FL

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low48 °Faverage low, January

Hot days140days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights9nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days8,404base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 52 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 25 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation52.8 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: Archbold Bio Stn, FL (7 mi away); precipitation: Lake Placid 1.1 Wsw, FL (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Lake Placid

Florida planting zones →

Questions about Lake Placid

What planting zone is Lake Placid, FL?

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

When is the last frost in Lake Placid, FL?

The median last spring frost is February 26 and the median first fall frost is December 22 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Archbold Bio Stn station).

When can I plant a garden in Lake Placid, FL?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 15 – Feb 5; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 5, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Lake Placid, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 13 h 52 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Lake Placid, FL get?

About 52.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).