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

Planting zone for 32548 — Fort Walton Beach, FL

ZIP code 32548 (Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 5 and the first fall frost December 28.

Where ZIP 32548 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 5

First frostDec 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 Fort Walton Beach, 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 Fort Walton Beach, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsMarch 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 28median — 10% chance by Dec 1

Growing season321 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 27 and returns around January 7.

From the NOAA station Destin Ft Walton Airport, FL — 7 miles away, elevation 23 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 32548

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 25 – Jan 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 27 – Dec 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 11 – Dec 25

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 27 – Dec 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Nov 2 – Nov 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 14 – Jan 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 5) and first fall frost (Dec 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 32548 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 Fort Walton Beach, FL.

Soil in Fort Walton Beach, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32548 is Kureb — sand, excessively drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kureb sand, 0 to 8 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 32548; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fort Walton Beach, FL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low45 °Faverage low, January

Hot days50days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights6nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,355base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 11 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation63.8 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: Destin Ft Walton Airport, FL (7 mi away); precipitation: Mary Esther 0.6 E, FL (4 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.

325499a

Fort Walton Beach, FL · 2 mi

325799a

Shalimar, FL · 2 mi

325479a

Fort Walton Beach, FL · 5 mi

Hurlburt Field, FL · 8 mi

325809a

Valparaiso, FL · 8 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Fort Walton Beach → · Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32548

What planting zone is ZIP code 32548?

ZIP code 32548 (Fort Walton Beach, 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 Fort Walton Beach, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32548 is February 5; after March 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Destin Ft Walton Airport station.

When is the first frost in Fort Walton Beach, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32548 is December 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 321 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32548?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 11 – Dec 25 and set transplants outside around Feb 12 – Feb 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 32548 get?

About 63.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mary Esther 0.6 E station).

How hot do summers get in Fort Walton Beach, FL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 50 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 32548 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kureb at the center of ZIP 32548: sand, excessively drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fort Walton Beach, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32548 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 Fort Walton Beach, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32548 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 32548 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 32548 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.