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

Planting zone for 33597 — Webster, FL

ZIP code 33597 (Webster, Sumter County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost December 5.

Where ZIP 33597 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C

Last frostMar 2

First frostDec 5

2012 zone9b

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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Webster, 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 Webster, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 5median — 10% chance by Nov 14

Growing season281 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Bushnell 1 E, FL — 9 miles away, elevation 79 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 33597

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

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 2) 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 33597 came on Jan 16 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 18).

average
Jan 182026
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 9b in Florida

477 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Florida, and rated by the USDA to survive 25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9b. 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 Webster, FL.

Soil in Webster, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 33597 is EauGallie — fine sand, poorly drained.

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

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: EauGallie fine sand.

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 33597; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Webster, FL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low43 °Faverage low, January

Hot days102days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights8nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,261base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 58 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 19 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation58 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: Bushnell 1 E, FL (9 mi away); precipitation: Dade City 1.8 Wsw, FL (15 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Center Hill, FL · 11 mi

347539b

Mascotte, FL · 12 mi

346029b

Brooksville, FL · 12 mi

346619a

Nobleton, FL · 12 mi

335239b

Dade City, FL · 13 mi

Florida planting zones →

Questions about 33597

What planting zone is ZIP code 33597?

ZIP code 33597 (Webster, FL) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Webster, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 33597 is March 2; after March 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bushnell 1 E station.

When is the first frost in Webster, FL?

The median first fall frost near 33597 is December 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 281 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 33597?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 5 – Jan 19 and set transplants outside around Mar 9 – Mar 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 33597 get?

About 58 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dade City 1.8 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Webster, FL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 102 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 33597 have?

The USDA soil survey maps EauGallie at the center of ZIP 33597: fine sand, poorly drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Webster, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 33597 came on Jan 16 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Webster, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 33597 is 13 h 58 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.