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

Planting zone for 32439 — Freeport, FL

ZIP code 32439 (Freeport, Walton County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 28 and the first fall frost November 28.

Where ZIP 32439 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 28

First frostNov 28

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 Freeport, 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 Freeport, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 28median — 10% chance by Nov 8

Growing season275 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 12 and returns around December 16.

From the NOAA station De Funiak Springs 1 E, FL — 17 miles away, elevation 246 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 32439

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Feb 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 3 – Oct 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 14 – Dec 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 28) and first fall frost (Nov 28) 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 32439 came on Jan 16 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

average
Jan 272026
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 Freeport, FL.

Soil in Freeport, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32439 is Rutlege — fine sand, very poorly drained.

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

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter4.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rutlege 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 32439; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Freeport, FL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low40 °Faverage low, January

Hot days85days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights26nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,671base 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

Precipitation67 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: De Funiak Springs 1 E, FL (17 mi away); precipitation: Freeport 3.4 S, FL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

324599a

Santa Rosa Beach, FL · 9 mi

324359a

Defuniak Springs, FL · 11 mi

324619a

Rosemary Beach, FL · 13 mi

324379a

Ebro, FL · 14 mi

325509b

Miramar Beach, FL · 15 mi

324559a

Ponce De Leon, FL · 15 mi

324228b

Argyle, FL · 16 mi

325789a

Niceville, FL · 19 mi

Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32439

What planting zone is ZIP code 32439?

ZIP code 32439 (Freeport, 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 Freeport, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32439 is February 28; after March 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, De Funiak Springs 1 E station.

When is the first frost in Freeport, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32439 is November 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 275 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32439?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 3 – Jan 17 and set transplants outside around Mar 7 – Mar 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 32439 get?

About 67 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Freeport 3.4 S station).

How hot do summers get in Freeport, FL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 85 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 32439 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rutlege at the center of ZIP 32439: fine sand, very poorly drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Freeport, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32439 came on Jan 16 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Freeport, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32439 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 32439 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 32439 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.