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

Planting zone for 34609 — Spring Hill, FL

ZIP code 34609 (Spring Hill, Hernando County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost December 5.

Where ZIP 34609 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 1

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 Spring Hill, 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 Spring Hill, FL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 5median — 10% chance by Nov 11

Growing season281 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 7 and returns around December 29.

From the NOAA station Brooksville Hernando Co. Airport, FL — 3 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 34609

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

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 1) 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 34609 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 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 Spring Hill, FL.

Soil in Spring Hill, FL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 34609 is Candler — fine sand, excessively drained.

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

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

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Candler 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 34609; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Spring Hill, FL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days105days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights14nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,646base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 57 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 20 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51.9 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: Brooksville Hernando Co. Airport, FL (3 mi away); precipitation: Brooksville Hernando Co. Airport, FL (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

346089b

Spring Hill, FL · 3 mi

346049b

Brooksville, FL · 5 mi

346069b

Spring Hill, FL · 5 mi

346059b

Brooksville, FL · 5 mi

346139b

Brooksville, FL · 6 mi

346109b

Spring Hill, FL · 8 mi

346039b

Brooksville, FL · 8 mi

346119b

Spring Hill, FL · 8 mi

All 6 ZIP codes in Spring Hill → · Florida planting zones →

Questions about 34609

What planting zone is ZIP code 34609?

ZIP code 34609 (Spring Hill, 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 Spring Hill, FL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 34609 is March 1; after March 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brooksville Hernando Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Spring Hill, FL?

The median first fall frost near 34609 is December 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 281 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 34609?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 4 – Jan 18 and set transplants outside around Mar 8 – Mar 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 34609 get?

About 51.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brooksville Hernando Co. Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Spring Hill, FL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 105 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 34609 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Candler at the center of ZIP 34609: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Spring Hill, FL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 34609 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 Spring Hill, FL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 34609 is 13 h 57 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 34609 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 34609 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.