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

Planting zone for 33538 — Lake Panasoffkee, FL

ZIP code 33538 (Lake Panasoffkee, Sumter County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost December 5.

Where ZIP 33538 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 3

First frostDec 5

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 Lake Panasoffkee, 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 Lake Panasoffkee, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 29only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 5median — 10% chance by Nov 15

Growing season279 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 11 and returns around December 29.

From the NOAA station Inverness 3 Se, FL — 8 miles away, elevation 59 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 33538

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 10 – Oct 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 21 – Dec 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 3) and first fall frost (Dec 5) 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 33538 came on Jan 16 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 19).

average
Jan 192026
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 Lake Panasoffkee, FL.

Soil in Lake Panasoffkee, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 33538 is Nittaw — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter55%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nittaw 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 33538; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lake Panasoffkee, FL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low43 °Faverage low, January

Hot days112days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights16nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,343base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 59 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 18 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation52.4 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: Inverness 3 Se, FL (8 mi away); precipitation: Inverness 3 Se, 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.

Floral City, FL · 10 mi

Florida planting zones →

Questions about 33538

What planting zone is ZIP code 33538?

ZIP code 33538 (Lake Panasoffkee, 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 Lake Panasoffkee, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 33538 is March 3; after March 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Inverness 3 Se station.

When is the first frost in Lake Panasoffkee, FL?

The median first fall frost near 33538 is December 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 279 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 33538?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 6 – Jan 20 and set transplants outside around Mar 10 – Mar 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 33538 get?

About 52.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Inverness 3 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Lake Panasoffkee, FL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 112 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 33538 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nittaw at the center of ZIP 33538: muck, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Lake Panasoffkee, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 33538 came on Jan 16 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lake Panasoffkee, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 33538 is 13 h 59 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.