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

Planting zone for 34461 — Lecanto, FL

ZIP code 34461 (Lecanto, Citrus County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost December 5.

Where ZIP 34461 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 3

First frostDec 5

2012 zone9a

Was 9a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Lecanto, 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 Lecanto, 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 — 11 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 34461

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 34461 came on Jan 17 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 19).

average
Jan 192026
Jan 17

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 Lecanto, FL.

Soil in Lecanto, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 34461 is Lake — fine sand, excessively drained.

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

pH5.4strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.08%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lake fine 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 34461; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lecanto, 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 (11 mi away); precipitation: Inverness 3 Se, FL (11 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.

Homosassa Springs, FL · 6 mi

344239b

Crystal River, FL · 7 mi

344649a

Beverly Hills, FL · 7 mi

344529b

Inverness, FL · 7 mi

344659a

Beverly Hills, FL · 8 mi

344879b

Homosassa, FL · 8 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Lecanto → · Florida planting zones →

Questions about 34461

What planting zone is ZIP code 34461?

ZIP code 34461 (Lecanto, 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 Lecanto, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 34461 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 Lecanto, FL?

The median first fall frost near 34461 is December 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 279 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 34461?

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 34461 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Lecanto, 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 34461 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lake at the center of ZIP 34461: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 5.4 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lecanto, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 34461 came on Jan 17 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lecanto, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 34461 is 13 h 59 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 34461 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 34461 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.