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

Planting zone for 32531 — Baker, FL

ZIP code 32531 (Baker, Okaloosa County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 32531 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 21

First frostNov 12

2012 zone8b

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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Baker, 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 Baker, 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 — 13 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 32531

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 32531 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 8b in Florida

453 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Florida, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Baker, FL.

Soil in Baker, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32531 is Fuquay — loamy fine sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Fuquay loamy fine 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 32531; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Baker, 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 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 08 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 (13 mi away); precipitation: Crestview Bob Sikes Airport, FL (13 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Crestview, FL · 12 mi

325649a

Holt, FL · 13 mi

325398b

Crestview, FL · 15 mi

325678b

Laurel Hill, FL · 16 mi

325889a

Niceville, FL · 17 mi

325709a

Milton, FL · 19 mi

Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32531

What planting zone is ZIP code 32531?

ZIP code 32531 (Baker, FL) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Baker, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32531 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 Baker, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32531 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 237 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32531?

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 32531 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Baker, 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 32531 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fuquay at the center of ZIP 32531: loamy fine sand, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Baker, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32531 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 Baker, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32531 is 14 h 09 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.