Alachua, FL frost dates
Last spring frostMar 13median date
First fall frostNov 22median date
Growing season254 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Alachua compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Alachua falls between February 16 and April 2, a 45-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 4 and December 15.
- The median last frost is 10 days later than the Florida median of Mar 3.
- Its 254-day growing season is longer than 8% of the 174 Florida places with a regular frost season (state median 273 days).
- The last frost is 10 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 27 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Gainesville, FL, 20 km away, the last frost here is 10 days later than there and the growing season is 20 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 16 |
| 50% (median) | March 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 4 |
| 50% (median) | November 22 |
| 90% (late) | December 15 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Alachua, FL
Alachua, FL frost dates — last frost Mar 13, first frost Nov 22, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Feb 13 to Feb 27
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 13 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Plant for fall: Nov 8 to Dec 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Alachua, FL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Feb 13 – Mar 20 | Sep 27 – Oct 25 |
| Kale | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Broccoli | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Okra | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Basil | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 6 – Mar 20 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 20 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 20 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 8 – Dec 13 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the High Springs, FL weather station, 11 km away (elevation 66 ft (20 m)).
ZIP codes in Alachua: 32615 32616
Frost dates near Alachua
- La Crosse Mar 13 · Nov 22
- High Springs Mar 13 · Nov 22
- Worthington Springs Mar 13 · Nov 22
- Newberry Mar 4 · Dec 4
- Gainesville Mar 3 · Dec 2
- Brooker Feb 8 · Dec 24
- Fort White Mar 13 · Nov 22
- Lake Butler Feb 8 · Dec 24
- Archer Mar 4 · Dec 4
- Lulu Mar 1 · Nov 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Alachua, FL?
The median last spring frost in Alachua, FL is March 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Alachua, FL?
The median first fall frost is November 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 4.
How long is the growing season in Alachua, FL?
About 254 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Alachua, FL?
Alachua, FL is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.