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

Planting zone for 32404 — Panama City, FL

ZIP code 32404 (Panama City, Bay County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 15 and the first fall frost December 12.

Where ZIP 32404 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 15
First frostDec 12
2012 zone9a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Panama City, 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 Panama City, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 15median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 12median — 10% chance by Nov 16
Growing season301 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 31 and returns around January 1.

From the NOAA station Panama City 5n, FL — 10 miles away, elevation 7 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 32404

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 7 – Dec 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 25 – Feb 8
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 7 – Dec 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 17 – Oct 31
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 28 – Jan 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 15) and first fall frost (Dec 12) 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 32404 came on Jan 17 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25).

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.

Trees 66

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FAtlantic white cedar50 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Shrubs 113

aloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 143

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican century plant6 ft · blooms indeterminate · high shade tolerance · to 12 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 131

American cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbig cordgrass8 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −3 °F

Vines 12

American wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Panama City, FL.

Soil in Panama City, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32404 is Pelham — sand, poorly drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pelham 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 32404; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Panama City, FL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low43 °Faverage low, January
Hot days67days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights17nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days7,249base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 06 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
Precipitation69 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 64 °F, low 43 °F 64°43° JanFebruary: average high 67 °F, low 46 °F 67°46° FebMarch: average high 73 °F, low 52 °F 73°52° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 66 °F 85°66° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 73 °F 89°73° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 75 °F 91°75° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 75 °F 91°75° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 71 °F 89°71° SepOctober: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° OctNovember: average high 73 °F, low 50 °F 73°50° NovDecember: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″14″January: 5.89 in precipitation 5.9 JanFebruary: 4.94 in precipitation 4.9 FebMarch: 5.09 in precipitation 5.1 MarApril: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 AprMay: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 5.34 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 7.11 in precipitation 7.1 JulAugust: 14.66 in precipitation 14.7 AugSeptember: 5.33 in precipitation 5.3 SepOctober: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 4.73 in precipitation 4.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Panama City 5n, FL (10 mi away); precipitation: Panama City 6.9 Ese, FL (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

324019b
Panama City, FL · 8 mi
324179b
Panama City, FL · 9 mi
324449a
Lynn Haven, FL · 9 mi
324059b
Panama City, FL · 10 mi
324039b
Panama City, FL · 10 mi
324029b
Panama City, FL · 12 mi
324069b
Panama City, FL · 12 mi
324119b
Panama City, FL · 12 mi

All 11 ZIP codes in Panama City → · Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32404

What planting zone is ZIP code 32404?

ZIP code 32404 (Panama City, 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 Panama City, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32404 is February 15; after March 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Panama City 5n station.

When is the first frost in Panama City, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32404 is December 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 301 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32404?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 21 – Jan 4 and set transplants outside around Feb 22 – Mar 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 32404 get?

About 69 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Panama City 6.9 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Panama City, FL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 67 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 32404 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pelham at the center of ZIP 32404: sand, poorly drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Panama City, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32404 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 Panama City, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32404 is 14 h 06 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.