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

Planting zone for 32696 — Williston, FL

ZIP code 32696 (Williston, Levy County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost December 4.

Where ZIP 32696 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 4

First frostDec 4

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 Williston, 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 Williston, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 4median — 10% chance by Nov 10

Growing season274 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 16 and returns around December 24.

From the NOAA station Gainesville 11 Wnw, FL — 19 miles away, elevation 95 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 32696

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 9 – Oct 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 20 – Dec 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 4) and first fall frost (Dec 4) 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 32696 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 Williston, FL.

Soil in Williston, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 32696 is Pedro — fine sand, well drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pedro-Jonesville-Shadeville complex, 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 32696; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Williston, FL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low43 °Faverage low, January

Hot days101days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights20nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,263base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 02 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

Precipitation55.8 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: Gainesville 11 Wnw, FL (19 mi away); precipitation: Bronson 3.0 Se, FL (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

326689a

Morriston, FL · 10 mi

Gainesville, FL · 13 mi

326349a

Fairfield, FL · 13 mi

326089a

Gainesville, FL · 14 mi

Florida planting zones →

Questions about 32696

What planting zone is ZIP code 32696?

ZIP code 32696 (Williston, 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 Williston, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 32696 is March 4; after March 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gainesville 11 Wnw station.

When is the first frost in Williston, FL?

The median first fall frost near 32696 is December 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 274 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 32696?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 7 – Jan 21 and set transplants outside around Mar 11 – Mar 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 32696 get?

About 55.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bronson 3.0 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Williston, FL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 101 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 32696 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pedro at the center of ZIP 32696: fine sand, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Williston, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 32696 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 Williston, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 32696 is 14 h 02 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.