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

Planting zone for 32694 — Waldo, FL

ZIP code 32694 (Waldo, Alachua County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 8 and the first fall frost December 24.

Where ZIP 32694 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 8

First frostDec 24

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 Waldo, 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 Waldo, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 24median — 10% chance by Nov 29

Growing season313 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 23 and returns around January 4.

From the NOAA station Starke, FL — 9 miles away, elevation 151 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 32694

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 28 – Jan 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 30 – Dec 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 14 – Dec 28

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 30 – Dec 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 29 – Nov 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 10 – Jan 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 8) and first fall frost (Dec 24) 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 32694 came on Jan 17 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22).

average
Jan 222026
Jan 17

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 Waldo, FL.

Soil in Waldo, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32694 is Placid — sand, very poorly drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter6%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Placid sand, depressional.

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 32694; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Waldo, FL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, June

Winter low45 °Faverage low, January

Hot days92days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights15nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,759base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 04 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 14 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation53.3 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: Starke, FL (9 mi away); precipitation: Brooker 6.6 Sse, FL (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Gainesville, FL · 9 mi

320919a

Starke, FL · 9 mi

321609a

Lake Geneva, FL · 10 mi

Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32694

What planting zone is ZIP code 32694?

ZIP code 32694 (Waldo, 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 Waldo, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32694 is February 8; after March 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Starke station.

When is the first frost in Waldo, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32694 is December 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 313 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32694?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 14 – Dec 28 and set transplants outside around Feb 15 – Mar 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 32694 get?

About 53.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brooker 6.6 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Waldo, FL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in June, with about 92 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 32694 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Placid at the center of ZIP 32694: sand, very poorly drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Waldo, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32694 came on Jan 17 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Waldo, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32694 is 14 h 04 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.