Cedar Key, FL frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 28median date
First fall frostDec 2median date
Growing season277 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Cedar Key compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cedar Key falls between January 31 and March 22, a 50-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 12 and January 4.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Florida median of Mar 3.
- Its 277-day growing season is longer than 60% of the 174 Florida places with a regular frost season (state median 273 days).
- The last frost is 8 days later than the zone 9b median of Feb 20. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 15 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Ocala, FL, 84 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 13 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 31 |
| 50% (median) | February 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 12 |
| 50% (median) | December 2 |
| 90% (late) | January 4 |
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 Cedar Key, FL
Cedar Key, FL frost dates — last frost Feb 28, first frost Dec 2, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Jan 31 to Feb 14
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 4
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Jan 31 to Feb 14Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 11
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Apr 4
Plant for fall: Nov 18 to Dec 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cedar Key, FL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Jan 31 – Mar 7 | Oct 7 – Nov 4 |
| Kale | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Broccoli | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Cabbage | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Okra | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — |
| Basil | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 17 – Feb 7 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 17 – Feb 7 | Oct 7 – Oct 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 24 – Mar 7 | Oct 21 – Nov 11 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Sep 23 – Oct 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 7 – Mar 7 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 7 – Mar 7 | Sep 23 – Oct 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | Sep 23 – Oct 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Oct 7 – Oct 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 18 – Dec 23 |
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 Usher Twr, FL weather station, 33 km away (elevation 33 ft (10 m)).
Frost dates near Cedar Key
- Suwannee Feb 28 · Dec 2
- Otter Creek Feb 28 · Dec 2
- Gulf Hammock Feb 28 · Dec 2
- Yankeetown Feb 28 · Dec 2
- Inglis Feb 28 · Dec 2
- Chiefland Feb 28 · Dec 2
- Horseshoe Beach Mar 6 · Nov 26
- Bronson Feb 28 · Dec 2
- Crystal River Mar 3 · Dec 5
- Morriston Feb 28 · Dec 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cedar Key, FL?
The median last spring frost in Cedar Key, FL is February 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cedar Key, FL?
The median first fall frost is December 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 12.
How long is the growing season in Cedar Key, FL?
About 277 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cedar Key, FL?
Cedar Key, FL is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.