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

Planting zone for Raiford, FL

Raiford, FL is in USDA zone 9a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is February 8 and the first fall frost December 24.

Raiford on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostFeb 8

First frostDec 24

Growing season313 days

9a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Raiford, 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 Raiford, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 24median — 10% chance by Nov 29

Growing season313 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 23 and returns around January 4.

From the NOAA station Starke, FL, elevation 151 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 Raiford

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 28 – Jan 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 30 – Dec 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 14 – Dec 28

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 30 – Dec 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 29 – Nov 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 10 – Jan 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 8) and first fall frost (Dec 24) 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 32083 came on Jan 17 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22).

average
Jan 222026
Jan 17

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 Florida

473 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Florida, 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 Raiford, FL.

Soil in Raiford, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32083 is Dorovan — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter50%high

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dorovan muck.

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 32083; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Raiford, FL

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low40 °Faverage low, January

Hot days81days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights28nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,028base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 05 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 12 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: Glen St Mary 1 W, FL (11 mi away); precipitation: Macclenny 4.9 Ssw, FL (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Raiford

Florida planting zones →

Questions about Raiford

What planting zone is Raiford, FL?

Raiford, FL is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map (9a: 20 to 25 °F).

When is the last frost in Raiford, FL?

The median last spring frost is February 8 and the median first fall frost is December 24 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Starke station).

When can I plant a garden in Raiford, FL?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Dec 28 – Jan 18; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Feb 15, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Raiford, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 05 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Raiford, FL get?

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