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

Planting zone for 33852 — Lake Placid, FL

ZIP code 33852 (Lake Placid, Highlands County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost December 22.

Where ZIP 33852 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 frostFeb 26

First frostDec 22

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 Lake Placid, 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 Placid, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 22median — 10% chance by Nov 27

Growing season300 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 4 and returns around January 7.

From the NOAA station Archbold Bio Stn, FL — 6 miles away, elevation 141 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 33852

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Feb 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 18 – Jan 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 18 – Jan 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 27 – Nov 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 8 – Jan 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 26) and first fall frost (Dec 22) 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 33852 came on Jan 12 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 15).

average
Jan 152026
Jan 12

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 Lake Placid, FL.

Soil in Lake Placid, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 33852 is Astatula — sand, excessively drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Astatula 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 33852; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lake Placid, FL

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low48 °Faverage low, January

Hot days140days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights9nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days8,404base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 52 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 25 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation52.8 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: Archbold Bio Stn, FL (6 mi away); precipitation: Lake Placid 1.1 Wsw, FL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

338629b

Lake Placid, FL · 3 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Lake Placid → · Florida planting zones →

Questions about 33852

What planting zone is ZIP code 33852?

ZIP code 33852 (Lake Placid, 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 Lake Placid, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 33852 is February 26; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Archbold Bio Stn station.

When is the first frost in Lake Placid, FL?

The median first fall frost near 33852 is December 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 300 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 33852?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 1 – Jan 15 and set transplants outside around Mar 5 – Mar 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 33852 get?

About 52.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake Placid 1.1 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Lake Placid, FL?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 140 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 33852 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Astatula at the center of ZIP 33852: sand, excessively drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 33852 came on Jan 12 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lake Placid, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 33852 is 13 h 52 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.