Bowling Green, FL frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 4median date
First fall frostJan 8median date
Growing season338 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
Frost is light and occasional here — typically a few cold nights around midwinter (about 5 a year). Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
How Bowling Green compares
- In a typical year, frost nights in Bowling Green fall between January 8 and February 4. In 1 year in 10 the first frost comes as early as December 13, or the last frost as late as March 5.
- Compared with Lakeland, FL, 50 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 4 |
| 50% (median) | February 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | December 13 |
| 50% (median) | January 8 |
| 90% (late) | February 7 |
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 Bowling Green, FL
Bowling Green, FL frost dates — last frost Feb 4, first frost Jan 8, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
In mild climates, summer heat limits many crops as much as frost does. Use this calendar for spring planting and lean on fall and winter for cool-season crops.
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 12 to Nov 26Transplant outside: Jan 7 to Jan 21
Start indoors: Nov 26 to Dec 10Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Start indoors: Nov 26 to Dec 10Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Jan 14 to Jan 28Sow outdoors: Jan 7 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Nov 13 to Dec 11
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Jan 7 to Jan 21Sow outdoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Plant for fall: Oct 30 to Nov 20
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Jan 21 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Jan 14 to Jan 28Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Jan 21 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Jan 14Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 6
Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Jan 14Plant for fall: Nov 13 to Dec 4
Sow outdoors: Dec 31 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Dec 31 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Nov 27 to Dec 18
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 6
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Oct 30 to Nov 13
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Oct 30
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Oct 30 to Nov 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Oct 30 to Nov 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Nov 13 to Dec 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 11
Plant for fall: Dec 25 to Jan 29Plant for fall: Dec 25 to Jan 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bowling Green, FL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 12 – Nov 26 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Nov 26 – Dec 10 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Nov 26 – Dec 10 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Jan 7 – Feb 11 | Nov 13 – Dec 11 |
| Kale | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Oct 30 – Nov 20 |
| Broccoli | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | — | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Cabbage | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | — | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | — | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Okra | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — |
| Basil | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Dec 24 – Jan 14 | Oct 16 – Nov 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Dec 24 – Jan 14 | Nov 13 – Dec 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Dec 31 – Feb 11 | Nov 27 – Dec 18 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Oct 23 – Nov 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | — | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Oct 30 – Nov 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | — | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 11 | Oct 16 – Oct 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 11 | Oct 30 – Nov 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 21 – Feb 18 | Oct 30 – Nov 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 21 – Feb 11 | Nov 13 – Dec 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Oct 23 – Nov 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Dec 25 – Jan 29 |
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 Wauchula, FL weather station, 8 km away (elevation 59 ft (18 m)).
Frost dates near Bowling Green
- Wauchula Feb 4 · Jan 8
- Bradley Feb 4 · Jan 8
- Zolfo Springs Feb 4 · Jan 8
- Fort Meade Jan 24 · Jan 7
- Ona Feb 4 · Jan 8
- Homeland Jan 24 · Jan 7
- Bartow Jan 24 · Jan 7
- Avon Park Jan 28 · Jan 8
- Frostproof Jan 28 · Jan 8
- Mulberry Jan 26 · Jan 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bowling Green, FL?
The median last spring frost in Bowling Green, FL is February 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bowling Green, FL?
The median first fall frost is January 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before December 13.
How long is the growing season in Bowling Green, FL?
About 338 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bowling Green, FL?
Bowling Green, FL is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.