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

Planting zone for 32463 — Wausau, FL

ZIP code 32463 (Wausau, Washington 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 32463 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 Wausau, 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 Wausau, 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 — 11 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 32463

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 32463 came on Jan 27 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28).

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).

Soil in Wausau, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32463 is Rutlege — loamy sand, very poorly drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3.7%moderate
Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rutlege, Pickney and Pamlico soils, frequently flooded.

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 32463; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wausau, 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
Precipitation60.8 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 39 °F 64°39° JanFebruary: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° FebMarch: average high 74 °F, low 47 °F 74°47° MarApril: average high 80 °F, low 53 °F 80°53° AprMay: average high 88 °F, low 62 °F 88°62° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 70 °F 92°70° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 72 °F 93°72° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 72 °F 92°72° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° SepOctober: average high 82 °F, low 56 °F 82°56° OctNovember: average high 72 °F, low 46 °F 72°46° NovDecember: average high 66 °F, low 41 °F 66°41° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 5.09 in precipitation 5.1 JanFebruary: 5.53 in precipitation 5.5 FebMarch: 5.65 in precipitation 5.7 MarApril: 4.86 in precipitation 4.9 AprMay: 4.09 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 5.29 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 7.16 in precipitation 7.2 JulAugust: 6.17 in precipitation 6.2 AugSeptember: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 SepOctober: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chipley, FL (11 mi away); precipitation: Chipley, FL (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

324289a
Chipley, FL · 1 mi
324209a
Alford, FL · 12 mi
324389a
Fountain, FL · 13 mi
324279a
Caryville, FL · 13 mi
324629a
Vernon, FL · 15 mi
324319a
Cottondale, FL · 15 mi
324258b
Bonifay, FL · 17 mi
324669a
Youngstown, FL · 18 mi

Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32463

What planting zone is ZIP code 32463?

ZIP code 32463 (Wausau, 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 Wausau, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32463 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 Wausau, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32463 is November 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 263 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32463?

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 32463 get?

About 60.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chipley station).

How hot do summers get in Wausau, 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 32463 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rutlege at the center of ZIP 32463: loamy sand, very poorly drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Wausau, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32463 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 Wausau, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32463 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 32463 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 32463 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.