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

Planting zone for 32640 — Hawthorne, FL

ZIP code 32640 (Hawthorne, Alachua 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 December 7.

Where ZIP 32640 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 frostDec 7

2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hawthorne, 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 Hawthorne, 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 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 7median — 10% chance by Nov 16

Growing season284 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 9 and returns around December 30.

From the NOAA station Orange Springs 2ssw, FL — 8 miles away, elevation 49 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 32640

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 12 – Oct 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 23 – Dec 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 1) and first fall frost (Dec 7) 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 32640 came on Jan 16 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 21).

average
Jan 212026
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 Hawthorne, FL.

Soil in Hawthorne, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32640 is Tavares — sand, moderately well drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tavares 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 32640; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hawthorne, FL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low41 °Faverage low, January

Hot days109days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights17nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,096base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 03 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 15 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation55.2 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: Orange Springs 2ssw, FL (8 mi away); precipitation: Orange Springs 2ssw, FL (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

326629a

Lochloosa, FL · 4 mi

326549a

Island Grove, FL · 8 mi

321829a

Orange Springs, FL · 8 mi

Interlachen, FL · 12 mi

321489a

Interlachen, FL · 12 mi

326649a

Mc Intosh, FL · 12 mi

Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32640

What planting zone is ZIP code 32640?

ZIP code 32640 (Hawthorne, 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 Hawthorne, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32640 is March 1; after March 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Orange Springs 2ssw station.

When is the first frost in Hawthorne, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32640 is December 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 284 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32640?

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 32640 get?

About 55.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Orange Springs 2ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Hawthorne, FL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 109 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 32640 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tavares at the center of ZIP 32640: sand, moderately well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hawthorne, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32640 came on Jan 16 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hawthorne, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32640 is 14 h 03 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.