Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 32648 (Horseshoe Beach, FL)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Cross City 1 E, FL (12 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)263 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 32648 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring mid-February to early March; fall September to early October.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Southeast (warm, humid). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Centipedegrass (warm-season): Spring: Not before mid-May (NC State); after full green-up (about Apr 21 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Optional mid-summer feeding, especially on sandy coastal soils. Avoid: Early-spring feeding, frequent feeding and liming unless a soil test calls for it (centipede decline).
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 1–22
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 1–22
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 1–29
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 15–Nov 12
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 15–Nov 12
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 26: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Feb 10 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 6 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 31 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Nov 8 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 26 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 21 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 25 | Nov 14 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 6 | Nov 26 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 18 | Dec 12 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 32648
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 6) and first fall frost (Nov 26). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 9–23 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Aug 6–27 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Aug 6–27 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 9–23 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 9–23 | Feb 13–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 6–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–22 (transplant) Sep 17–Oct 15 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 23–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–22 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 9–23 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (transplant) Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 9–23 | Feb 6–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (transplant) Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 12–26 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 6–27 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 9–23 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–29 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Feb 20–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 13–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 30–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 13–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 9–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 12–26 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 12–26 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 15–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Oct 15–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 6–20 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 27–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 6–13 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 6–13 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 6–13 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 6–13 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 6–13 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 12–26 | Mar 13–20 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 13–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 17–Oct 15 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Florida has a university or garden plant program: Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide. Plant frost-tender annuals after March 6 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Cross City 1 E, FL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00082008), elevation 42 ft, 12.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross City AP, FL | 12 mi | Mar 5 | Nov 26 |
| Usher Twr, FL | 26 mi | Feb 28 | Dec 2 |
| Bell 4NW, FL | 28 mi | Mar 14 | Nov 22 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 17 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 32648
When is the last frost in 32648?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 32648 is March 6. For a more cautious planting date, use March 31, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 32648?
The average first fall freeze is November 26. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 8.
What hardiness zone is 32648?
ZIP 32648 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 32648 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
32680 32628 Cross City 32692 32359 Steinhatchee 32626 Manatee Road 32625 Cedar Key 32356 32619 Bell
Other ZIP codes in Dixie County
32359 32628 32680 32692 All Dixie County frost dates · Florida frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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- Weekly yard to-dos
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.