Florida Frost Dates & Growing Season Guide
Florida (FL) spans USDA hardiness zones 10b, 8b, 9a, 9b, with growing seasons ranging from 260 days in Tallahassee to 365 days in Miami. The average growing season across the state is approximately 315 days.
Florida City Frost Dates
The table below shows the average last spring frost date, first fall frost date, growing season length, and USDA hardiness zone for each city. Click a city name for detailed planting calendars and zone information.
| City | Last Spring Frost | First Fall Frost | Growing Season | Zone | Min Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | January 1 | December 31 | 365 days | 10b | 35°F |
| Jacksonville | February 14 | December 8 | 297 days | 9a | 20°F |
| Tallahassee | March 5 | November 20 | 260 days | 8b | 15°F |
| Orlando | January 31 | December 15 | 318 days | 9b | 25°F |
| Tampa | January 20 | December 20 | 334 days | 9b | 25°F |
Planting Windows for Florida
Based on average frost dates, here are the recommended planting windows for each city. The indoor seed start date is approximately seven weeks before the last spring frost. Transplanting should occur about two weeks after the last frost. The last direct sow date for fall crops is ten weeks before the first fall frost.
| City | Start Seeds Indoors | Transplant After | Last Direct Sow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | November 13 | January 15 | October 22 |
| Jacksonville | December 27 | February 28 | September 29 |
| Tallahassee | January 16 | March 19 | September 11 |
| Orlando | December 13 | February 14 | October 6 |
| Tampa | December 2 | February 3 | October 11 |
Gardening in Florida
Florida gardening flips the national calendar. While northern states plant in spring, Florida's prime vegetable season runs from September through May, avoiding the worst summer heat, humidity, and pest pressure. South Florida (zones 10a-10b) is effectively tropical, growing mangos, avocados, bananas, and papayas year-round. Central Florida gardeners enjoy nearly year-round production with careful variety selection. North Florida follows a schedule closer to the Deep South, with meaningful frost risk from December through February. Sandy soils are the norm statewide and require heavy organic amendment. Nematode-resistant varieties are essential for tomatoes and other susceptible crops.
Understanding Florida's Hardiness Zones
Florida includes USDA hardiness zones 10b, 8b, 9a, 9b. These zones indicate the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature for each area, which determines which perennial plants, trees, and shrubs can survive winter without protection. When purchasing trees, shrubs, or perennial flowers, always check that the plant is rated for your hardiness zone or a lower (colder) zone number.
Tips for Using Florida Frost Dates
These frost dates represent long-term averages and should be treated as guidelines rather than guarantees. In any given year, the actual last spring frost or first fall frost may arrive one to three weeks earlier or later than the average. Factors that affect your specific location include elevation above the city center, proximity to water, slope direction, and whether you are in an urban or rural area. South-facing slopes and areas near large pavement or building masses tend to be warmer than surrounding open land. Low-lying valleys and exposed hilltops are often colder than mid-slope positions.
To protect against late spring frosts, keep row cover fabric, old bed sheets, or frost blankets on hand. Monitor your local weather forecast daily as the average frost date approaches. When frost is predicted after you have transplanted, covering plants in the late afternoon traps ground heat and can protect against temperatures down to about 28 degrees Fahrenheit. For fall season extension, the same covers protect mature plants from early frosts, often buying several additional weeks of harvest.