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

Planting zone for 32046 — Hilliard, FL

ZIP code 32046 (Hilliard, Nassau County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost December 7.

Where ZIP 32046 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 frostFeb 26

First frostDec 7

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 Hilliard, 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 Hilliard, 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 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 7median — 10% chance by Nov 16

Growing season285 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 3 and returns around December 30.

From the NOAA station Folkston 9 Sw, GA — 13 miles away, elevation 121 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 32046

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 12 – Oct 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 23 – Dec 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 26) and first fall frost (Dec 7) 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 32046 came on Jan 17 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25).

average
Jan 252026
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 Hilliard, FL.

Soil in Hilliard, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32046 is Goldhead — fine sand, poorly drained.

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

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Goldhead fine sand.

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 32046; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hilliard, FL

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days114days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights17nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,545base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 08 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

Precipitation53.2 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: Folkston 9 Sw, GA (13 mi away); precipitation: Folkston 9 Sw, GA (13 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

320119a

Callahan, FL · 10 mi

315489a

Kingsland, GA · 14 mi

320979a

Yulee, FL · 16 mi

315629a

Saint George, GA · 19 mi

315699a

Woodbine, GA · 19 mi

320099a

Bryceville, FL · 20 mi

322199a

Jacksonville, FL · 20 mi

320419b

Yulee, FL · 20 mi

Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32046

What planting zone is ZIP code 32046?

ZIP code 32046 (Hilliard, FL) 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 Hilliard, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32046 is February 26; after March 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Folkston 9 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Hilliard, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32046 is December 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 285 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32046?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 1 – Jan 15 and set transplants outside around Mar 5 – Mar 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 32046 get?

About 53.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Folkston 9 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Hilliard, FL?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 114 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 32046 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Goldhead at the center of ZIP 32046: fine sand, poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hilliard, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32046 came on Jan 17 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hilliard, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32046 is 14 h 08 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 32046 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 32046 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.