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

Planting zone for 32434 — Mossy Head, FL

ZIP code 32434 (Mossy Head, Walton County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 32434 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostMar 21

First frostNov 12

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 Mossy Head, 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 Mossy Head, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 29

Growing season237 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 5 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Crestview Bob Sikes Airport, FL — 12 miles away, elevation 190 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 32434

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 21) and first fall frost (Nov 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 32434 came on Jan 16 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29).

average
Jan 292026
Jan 16

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 Mossy Head, FL.

Soil in Mossy Head, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32434 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 32434; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mossy Head, FL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low39 °Faverage low, January

Hot days98days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights39nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,527base 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

Precipitation63.6 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: Crestview Bob Sikes Airport, FL (12 mi away); precipitation: Crestview Bob Sikes Airport, FL (12 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.

325398b

Crestview, FL · 10 mi

324338b

Defuniak Springs, FL · 10 mi

324359a

Defuniak Springs, FL · 13 mi

325678b

Laurel Hill, FL · 14 mi

325389a

Paxton, FL · 16 mi

325369a

Crestview, FL · 17 mi

324228b

Argyle, FL · 17 mi

325889a

Niceville, FL · 18 mi

Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32434

What planting zone is ZIP code 32434?

ZIP code 32434 (Mossy Head, 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 Mossy Head, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32434 is March 21; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Crestview Bob Sikes Airport station.

When is the first frost in Mossy Head, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32434 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 237 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32434?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 24 – Feb 7 and set transplants outside around Mar 28 – Apr 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 32434 get?

About 63.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Crestview Bob Sikes Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Mossy Head, FL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 98 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 32434 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lakeland at the center of ZIP 32434: sand, excessively drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Mossy Head, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32434 came on Jan 16 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mossy Head, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32434 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 32434 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 32434 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.