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

Planting zone for 34431 — Dunnellon, FL

ZIP code 34431 (Dunnellon, Marion County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 28 and the first fall frost December 2.

Where ZIP 34431 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 28

First frostDec 2

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 Dunnellon, 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 Dunnellon, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 2median — 10% chance by Nov 12

Growing season279 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 6 and returns around December 27.

From the NOAA station Usher Twr, FL — 25 miles away, elevation 33 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 34431

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Feb 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 7 – Oct 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 18 – Dec 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 28) and first fall frost (Dec 2) 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 34431 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 Dunnellon, FL.

Soil in Dunnellon, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 34431 is Candler — sand, excessively drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.7moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.36%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Candler 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 34431; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dunnellon, FL

Summer high89 °Faverage high, June

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days82days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights15nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,155base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 00 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 17 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation55.1 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: Usher Twr, FL (25 mi away); precipitation: Hernando 1.6 N, FL (17 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Dunnellon, FL · 10 mi

344329a

Dunnellon, FL · 11 mi

344349a

Dunnellon, FL · 11 mi

326399a

Gulf Hammock, FL · 13 mi

344459a

Holder, FL · 13 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in Dunnellon → · Florida planting zones →

Questions about 34431

What planting zone is ZIP code 34431?

ZIP code 34431 (Dunnellon, 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 Dunnellon, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 34431 is February 28; after March 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Usher Twr station.

When is the first frost in Dunnellon, FL?

The median first fall frost near 34431 is December 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 279 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 34431?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 3 – Jan 17 and set transplants outside around Mar 7 – Mar 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 34431 get?

About 55.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hernando 1.6 N station).

How hot do summers get in Dunnellon, FL?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in June, with about 82 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 34431 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Candler at the center of ZIP 34431: sand, excessively drained, pH about 5.7 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Dunnellon, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 34431 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 Dunnellon, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 34431 is 14 h 00 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.