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

Planting zone for 32563 — Gulf Breeze, FL

ZIP code 32563 (Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost November 27.

Where ZIP 32563 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F
Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C
Last frostMar 1
First frostNov 27
2012 zone9a

Was 9a 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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gulf Breeze, 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 Gulf Breeze, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 27median — 10% chance by Nov 6
Growing season273 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 9 and returns around December 17.

From the NOAA station Chactaw Nolf Milton, FL — 9 miles away, elevation 102 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 32563

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 2 – Oct 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 13 – Dec 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 1) and first fall frost (Nov 27) 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 32563 came on Jan 16 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25).

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 9b in Florida

477 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Florida, and rated by the USDA to survive 25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 66

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FAtlantic white cedar50 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Shrubs 114

aloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 146

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican century plant6 ft · blooms indeterminate · high shade tolerance · to 12 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 131

American cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbig cordgrass8 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −3 °F

Vines 12

American wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Gulf Breeze, FL.

Soil in Gulf Breeze, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32563 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 32563; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gulf Breeze, FL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low41 °Faverage low, January
Hot days86days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights23nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,849base 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
Precipitation63.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° JanFebruary: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° FebMarch: average high 73 °F, low 50 °F 73°50° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 72 °F 89°72° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 74 °F 91°74° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 73 °F 90°73° AugSeptember: average high 88 °F, low 69 °F 88°69° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° OctNovember: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° NovDecember: average high 64 °F, low 44 °F 64°44° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 4.73 in precipitation 4.7 JanFebruary: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 FebMarch: 5.06 in precipitation 5.1 MarApril: 5.19 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 6.05 in precipitation 6.0 JunJuly: 7.26 in precipitation 7.3 JulAugust: 8.58 in precipitation 8.6 AugSeptember: 5.62 in precipitation 5.6 SepOctober: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 OctNovember: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 4.85 in precipitation 4.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chactaw Nolf Milton, FL (9 mi away); precipitation: Chactaw Nolf Milton, FL (9 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.

325619b
Gulf Breeze, FL · 6 mi
325669a
Navarre, FL · 8 mi
325629b
Gulf Breeze, FL · 9 mi
325209b
Pensacola, FL · 11 mi
325049a
Pensacola, FL · 11 mi
325169a
Pensacola, FL · 12 mi
325219a
Pensacola, FL · 12 mi
325229a
Pensacola, FL · 12 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Gulf Breeze → · Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32563

What planting zone is ZIP code 32563?

ZIP code 32563 (Gulf Breeze, FL) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Gulf Breeze, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32563 is March 1; after March 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chactaw Nolf Milton station.

When is the first frost in Gulf Breeze, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32563 is November 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 273 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32563?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 4 – Jan 18 and set transplants outside around Mar 8 – Mar 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 32563 get?

About 63.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chactaw Nolf Milton station).

How hot do summers get in Gulf Breeze, FL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 86 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 32563 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lakeland at the center of ZIP 32563: sand, excessively drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Gulf Breeze, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32563 came on Jan 16 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gulf Breeze, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32563 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 32563 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 32563 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.