Zone Maps

Chill Hour Accumulation in Florida, University of Florida

Chill Hours Calculator and details of El Niño and La Niña, AgroClimate ^{ext. link}

Confused by Plant Hardiness Zones? University of Florida, Columbia County^pdf

Counties of Florida Map, United States Census Bureau

Florida Chill Hours Map, University of Florida

Florida Automated Weather Network: FAWN, University of Florida ^{ext. link}

Freeze/Frost Occurrence Data Florida Listings, National Climatic Data Center Stations ^pdf

Plant Hardiness Zone Map, USDA Agricultural Research Service

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone (Interactive) Look up your area by zip code^{ext. link}

US Drought Monitor, National Drought Mitigation Center ^{ext. link}

Florida Chill Hours Map

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF-IFAS) tabulates chill hours (as opposed to average minimum temperature) in more detail for Florida and their map can be used to identify the expected range of chill hours for areas in Florida.

Be sure to match your plants by Hardiness Zone and by Chill Hours.

In order to bloom in spring, deciduous fruit trees like peaches, plums, and nectarines all must go through the plant equivalent of a long winter's nap.

They need a dormancy period with a certain number of chilling hours, when the temperature drops below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact number of chilling hours depends on the fruit tree variety, but it can be anywhere from a hundred to more than a thousand.

Here in Florida, gardeners should look for special "low chill" fruit tree varieties. Low-chill peaches, plums, and nectarines need just 100 to 525 chilling hours per year, making them better suited for our mild winters. Low-chill apples are also available, though there are fewer varieties that work well in Florida. ¹

Hardiness Zone Map of Florida

Fig. 1

Chill Hour Accumulation in Florida

Fig. 2

Below 45F (7.2C) through February 10th

There are many sources from which to gather this data, including the Florida Automated Weather Network FAWN. The state of Florida has several zones with different chill unit accumulations to aid in selecting a peach cultivar. ²

Counties of Florida Map

Map of Florida Counties

Fig. 3

Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Florida Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Fig. 4

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General Index Page

Bibliography

¹ "Chill Hours Map." Gardening Solutions, UF/IFAS, 23 Oct. 2013, gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu//plants/edibles/fruits/chill-hours.html. Accessed 10 Aug. 2016.
² Sarkhosh, Ali, et al. "Florida Peach and Nectarine Varieties." Horticultural Sciences Dept., (originally published in 1995 as "Peaches and Nectarines for Central and North Florida), Circ. 1159, UF/IFAS Extension, Original pub. Nov. 1995, Rev. May 2013, June 2016 and Oct. 2018, Reviewed 19 Oct. 2022, AskIFAS, doi.org/10.32473/edis-mg374-2013, edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg374. Accessed 16 Feb. 2017, 2 Apr. 2019, 2 Apr. 2024.

Illustrations

Fig. ¹ "Florida Chill Hours Map." UF/IFAS, ifas.ufl.edu. Accessed 12 Apr. 2014.
Fig. ² "Chill Hour Accumulation in Florida (Below 45F [7.2C] through February 10th)." Outline map courtesy of the Florida State Historical Society, edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Accessed 16 Apr. 2015.
Fig. ³ "State Based County Outline Map - Florida. General Reference Maps." United States Cencus Bureau, 7 Oct. 2002, www.census.gov/geographies/reference-maps/2000/geo/state-county-outline-2000.html. Accessed 9 Aug. 2016.
Fig. ⁴ "USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map Florida." Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program, UF/IFAS, 2023, ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/usda-hardiness-zones/. Accessed 9 Aug. 2016, 2 Apr. 2024.

Published 19 Feb 2013 KJ. Last update 2 Apr. 2024 LR