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

Planting zone for 32420 — Alford, FL

ZIP code 32420 (Alford, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost November 21.

Where ZIP 32420 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 frostMar 5

First frostNov 21

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 Alford, 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 Alford, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 21median — 10% chance by Nov 4

Growing season263 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 16 and returns around December 8.

From the NOAA station Chipley, FL — 14 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 32420

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 26 – Oct 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 7 – Dec 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 5) and first fall frost (Nov 21) 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 32420 came on Jan 27 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28).

average
Jan 282026
Jan 27

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 Alford, FL.

Soil in Alford, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32420 is Lakeland — sand, excessively drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lakeland sand, 0 to 5 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 32420; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Alford, FL

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low39 °Faverage low, January

Hot days98days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights31nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,760base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 08 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

Precipitation64.7 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: Chipley, FL (14 mi away); precipitation: Alford 0.6 Sse, FL (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Cottondale, FL · 11 mi

Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32420

What planting zone is ZIP code 32420?

ZIP code 32420 (Alford, 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 Alford, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32420 is March 5; after March 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chipley station.

When is the first frost in Alford, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32420 is November 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 263 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32420?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 8 – Jan 22 and set transplants outside around Mar 12 – Mar 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 32420 get?

About 64.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alford 0.6 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Alford, FL?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 98 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 32420 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lakeland at the center of ZIP 32420: sand, excessively drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Alford, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32420 came on Jan 27 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Alford, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32420 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 32420 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 32420 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.