Nichols, FL frost dates
Last spring frostJan 26median date
First fall frostJan 9median date
Growing season348 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
Frost is light and occasional here — typically a few cold nights around midwinter (about 3 a year). Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
How Nichols compares
- In a typical year, frost nights in Nichols fall between January 9 and January 26. In 1 year in 10 the first frost comes as early as December 20, or the last frost as late as February 21.
- Nichols shares its weather station with Lakeland, FL, 18 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 2 |
| 50% (median) | January 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | February 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | December 20 |
| 50% (median) | January 9 |
| 90% (late) | February 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 Nichols, FL
Nichols, FL frost dates — last frost Jan 26, first frost Jan 9, 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 3 to Nov 17Transplant outside: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Dec 29 to Jan 12
Start indoors: Nov 17 to Dec 1Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23
Start indoors: Nov 17 to Dec 1Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Jan 5 to Jan 19Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Feb 2Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Nov 14 to Dec 12
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Dec 29 to Jan 12Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Plant for fall: Oct 31 to Nov 21
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Jan 12 to Jan 26Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Jan 5 to Jan 19Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Jan 12 to Jan 26Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16
Sow outdoors: Dec 15 to Jan 5Sow outdoors: Dec 15 to Jan 5Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 7
Sow outdoors: Dec 15 to Jan 5Sow outdoors: Dec 15 to Jan 5Plant for fall: Nov 14 to Dec 5
Sow outdoors: Dec 22 to Feb 2Sow outdoors: Dec 22 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Nov 28 to Dec 19
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 7
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Oct 31 to Nov 14
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 5 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Oct 31
Sow outdoors: Jan 5 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Oct 31 to Nov 14
Sow outdoors: Jan 5 to Jan 26
Sow outdoors: Jan 12 to Feb 9Plant for fall: Oct 31 to Nov 14
Sow outdoors: Jan 12 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Nov 14 to Dec 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16
Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Mar 2
Plant for fall: Dec 26 to Jan 30Plant for fall: Dec 26 to Jan 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Nichols, FL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 3 – Nov 17 | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Nov 17 – Dec 1 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Nov 17 – Dec 1 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Dec 29 – Feb 2 | Nov 14 – Dec 12 |
| Kale | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Oct 31 – Nov 21 |
| Broccoli | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | — | Oct 3 – Oct 24 |
| Cabbage | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | — | Oct 3 – Oct 24 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | — | Oct 3 – Oct 24 |
| Okra | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — |
| Basil | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Dec 15 – Jan 5 | Oct 17 – Nov 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Dec 15 – Jan 5 | Nov 14 – Dec 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Dec 22 – Feb 2 | Nov 28 – Dec 19 |
| Cucumbers | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Oct 24 – Nov 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | — | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Oct 31 – Nov 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | — | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 5 – Feb 2 | Oct 17 – Oct 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 5 – Feb 2 | Oct 31 – Nov 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 5 – Jan 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 12 – Feb 9 | Oct 31 – Nov 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 12 – Feb 2 | Nov 14 – Dec 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | Oct 24 – Nov 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Dec 26 – Jan 30 |
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 Lakeland, FL weather station, 11 km away (elevation 138 ft (42 m)).
Frost dates near Nichols
- Mulberry Jan 26 · Jan 9
- Lithia Jan 30 · Jan 6
- Durant Jan 30 · Jan 6
- Plant City Jan 30 · Jan 6
- Eaton Park Jan 26 · Jan 9
- Highland City Jan 24 · Jan 7
- Lakeland Jan 26 · Jan 9
- Sydney Jan 30 · Jan 6
- Bartow Jan 24 · Jan 7
- Valrico Jan 30 · Jan 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Nichols, FL?
The median last spring frost in Nichols, FL is January 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after February 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Nichols, FL?
The median first fall frost is January 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before December 20.
How long is the growing season in Nichols, FL?
About 348 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Nichols, FL?
Nichols, FL is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.