Bell, FL frost dates
Last spring frostMar 14median date
First fall frostNov 22median date
Growing season253 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Bell compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bell falls between February 18 and April 2, a 43-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 4 and December 16.
- The median last frost is 11 days later than the Florida median of Mar 3.
- Its 253-day growing season is longer than 6% of the 174 Florida places with a regular frost season (state median 273 days).
- The last frost is 11 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 28 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Gainesville, FL, 52 km away, the last frost here is 11 days later than there and the growing season is 21 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 18 |
| 50% (median) | March 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 4 |
| 50% (median) | November 22 |
| 90% (late) | December 16 |
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 Bell, FL
Bell, FL frost dates — last frost Mar 14, first frost Nov 22, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 21Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 21Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 18
Plant for fall: Nov 8 to Dec 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bell, FL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 14 – Mar 21 | Sep 27 – Oct 25 |
| Kale | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Broccoli | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Okra | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Basil | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 31 – Feb 21 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 31 – Feb 21 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 7 – Mar 21 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 21 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 21 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| 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 Bell 4nw, FL weather station, 5 km away (elevation 30 ft (9 m)).
Frost dates near Bell
- Branford Mar 14 · Nov 22
- Old Town Mar 6 · Nov 26
- Trenton Mar 14 · Nov 22
- Fort White Mar 13 · Nov 22
- High Springs Mar 13 · Nov 22
- O Brien Mar 8 · Nov 25
- Newberry Mar 4 · Dec 4
- Chiefland Feb 28 · Dec 2
- Cross City Mar 6 · Nov 26
- Alachua Mar 13 · Nov 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bell, FL?
The median last spring frost in Bell, FL is March 14. 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 Bell, 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 Bell, FL?
About 253 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bell, FL?
Bell, FL is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.