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

Planting zone for 32329 — Apalachicola, FL

ZIP code 32329 (Apalachicola, Franklin County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 20 and the first fall frost December 13.

Where ZIP 32329 is

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

Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C

Last frostFeb 20

First frostDec 13

2012 zone9a

Was 9a 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 9b means →

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 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 13median — 10% chance by Nov 17

Growing season299 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 5 and returns around January 1.

From the NOAA station Apalachicola Airport, FL — 2 miles away, 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 32329

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 9 – Jan 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 12 – Dec 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 12 – Dec 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 18 – Nov 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 29 – Jan 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 20) and first fall frost (Dec 13) 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 32329 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 32329 is Mandarin — fine sand, somewhat poorly drained.

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

pH4.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mandarin 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 32329; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Apalachicola, FL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days74days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights13nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,229base 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

Precipitation57.9 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 (2 mi away); precipitation: Apalachicola Airport, FL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

323209b

Apalachicola, FL · 4 mi

323289b

Eastpoint, FL · 7 mi

324579b

Port Saint Joe, FL · 20 mi

324569b

Port Saint Joe, FL · 20 mi

323359a

Sumatra, FL · 20 mi

324659a

Wewahitchka, FL · 23 mi

323229a

Carrabelle, FL · 23 mi

323239a

Lanark Village, FL · 25 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Apalachicola → · Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32329

What planting zone is ZIP code 32329?

ZIP code 32329 (Apalachicola, FL) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Apalachicola, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32329 is February 20; after March 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Apalachicola Airport station.

When is the first frost in Apalachicola, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32329 is December 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 299 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32329?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 26 – Jan 9 and set transplants outside around Feb 27 – Mar 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 32329 get?

About 57.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Apalachicola Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Apalachicola, FL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 74 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 32329 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mandarin at the center of ZIP 32329: fine sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 4.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Apalachicola, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32329 came on Jan 24 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Apalachicola, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32329 is 14 h 03 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 32329 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 32329 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.