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

Planting zone for 32096 — White Springs, FL

ZIP code 32096 (White Springs, Hamilton County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 24 and the first fall frost December 7.

Where ZIP 32096 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 24

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 White Springs, 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 White Springs, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 17only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season287 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 1 and returns around December 28.

From the NOAA station White Springs 7n, FL — 11 miles away, elevation 131 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 32096

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 13 – Feb 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 16 – Dec 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 16 – Dec 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

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 24) 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 32096 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 White Springs, FL.

Soil in White Springs, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32096 is Plummer — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter47.5%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Plummer, depressional-Pamlico, loamy substratum complex.

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 32096; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in White Springs, FL

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low42 °Faverage low, January

Hot days101days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights13nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,135base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 10 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation53.6 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: White Springs 7n, FL (11 mi away); precipitation: White Springs 7n, FL (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

316319a

Fargo, GA · 12 mi

320559a

Lake City, FL · 18 mi

320529a

Jasper, FL · 19 mi

320879a

Sanderson, FL · 23 mi

320569a

Lake City, FL · 24 mi

316489a

Statenville, GA · 26 mi

Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32096

What planting zone is ZIP code 32096?

ZIP code 32096 (White Springs, 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 White Springs, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32096 is February 24; after March 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, White Springs 7n station.

When is the first frost in White Springs, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32096 is December 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 287 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32096?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 30 – Jan 13 and set transplants outside around Mar 3 – Mar 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 32096 get?

About 53.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, White Springs 7n station).

How hot do summers get in White Springs, FL?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 101 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 32096 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Plummer at the center of ZIP 32096: muck, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in White Springs, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32096 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 White Springs, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32096 is 14 h 07 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 32096 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 32096 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.