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

Planting zone for 32565 — Jay, FL

ZIP code 32565 (Jay, Santa Rosa County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost November 13.

Where ZIP 32565 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 15

First frostNov 13

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 Jay, 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 Jay, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 13median — 10% chance by Oct 30

Growing season241 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 1 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Milton Exp Stn, FL — 8 miles away, elevation 217 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 32565

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 18 – Oct 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 30 – Dec 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 15) and first fall frost (Nov 13) 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 32565 came on Jan 16 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28).

average
Jan 282026
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 Jay, FL.

Soil in Jay, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32565 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 32565; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Jay, FL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days94days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights31nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,987base 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

Precipitation67.6 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: Milton Exp Stn, FL (8 mi away); precipitation: Milton Exp Stn, FL (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32565

What planting zone is ZIP code 32565?

ZIP code 32565 (Jay, 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 Jay, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32565 is March 15; after April 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Milton Exp Stn station.

When is the first frost in Jay, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32565 is November 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 241 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32565?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 18 – Feb 1 and set transplants outside around Mar 22 – Apr 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 32565 get?

About 67.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Milton Exp Stn station).

How hot do summers get in Jay, FL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 94 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 32565 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lakeland at the center of ZIP 32565: sand, excessively drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Jay, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32565 came on Jan 16 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Jay, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32565 is 14 h 09 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.