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

Planting zone for 32569 — Mary Esther, FL

ZIP code 32569 (Mary Esther, Okaloosa County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost November 27.

Where ZIP 32569 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 1

First frostNov 27

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 Mary Esther, 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 Mary Esther, 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 — 16 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 32569

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 32569 came on Jan 16 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

average
Jan 262026
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 Mary Esther, FL.

Soil in Mary Esther, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32569 is Dorovan — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter50%high

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dorovan muck, 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 32569; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mary Esther, 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

Precipitation63.8 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: Chactaw Nolf Milton, FL (16 mi away); precipitation: Mary Esther 0.6 E, FL (5 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.

325449a

Hurlburt Field, FL · 1 mi

325479a

Fort Walton Beach, FL · 6 mi

325499a

Fort Walton Beach, FL · 7 mi

325489a

Fort Walton Beach, FL · 8 mi

Eglin Afb, FL · 13 mi

325409b

Destin, FL · 14 mi

Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32569

What planting zone is ZIP code 32569?

ZIP code 32569 (Mary Esther, 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 Mary Esther, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32569 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 Mary Esther, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32569 is November 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 273 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32569?

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 32569 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 Mary Esther, 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 32569 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dorovan at the center of ZIP 32569: muck, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Mary Esther, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32569 came on Jan 16 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mary Esther, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32569 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 32569 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 32569 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.