Ocala, FL frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 25median date
First fall frostDec 12median date
Growing season290 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Ocala compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ocala falls between January 24 and March 21, a 56-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 21 and January 14.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Florida median of Mar 3.
- Its 290-day growing season is longer than 89% of the 174 Florida places with a regular frost season (state median 273 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier 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 8 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Gainesville, FL, 59 km away, the last frost here is 6 days earlier than there and the growing season is 16 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 24 |
| 50% (median) | February 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 21 |
| 50% (median) | December 12 |
| 90% (late) | January 14 |
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 Ocala, FL
Ocala, FL frost dates — last frost Feb 25, first frost Dec 12, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Jan 28 to Feb 11
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 14
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Jan 28 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 7
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 31 to Nov 21
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Plant for fall: Nov 28 to Jan 2Plant for fall: Nov 28 to Jan 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ocala, FL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Jan 28 – Mar 4 | Oct 17 – Nov 14 |
| Kale | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Oct 3 – Oct 24 |
| Broccoli | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cabbage | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Okra | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Basil | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Oct 17 – Nov 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 21 – Mar 4 | Oct 31 – Nov 21 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Sep 26 – Oct 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Oct 3 – Oct 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 4 | Sep 19 – Oct 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 4 | Oct 3 – Oct 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | Oct 3 – Oct 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Oct 17 – Nov 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 26 – Oct 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 28 – Jan 2 |
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 Ocala, FL weather station, 7 km away (elevation 75 ft (23 m)).
ZIP codes in Ocala: 34470 34471 34472 34473 34474 34475 34476 34477 34478 34479 34480 34481 34482 34483
Frost dates near Ocala
- Belleview Feb 25 · Dec 12
- Silver Springs Feb 25 · Dec 12
- Anthony Feb 25 · Dec 12
- Sparr Feb 25 · Dec 12
- Lowell Feb 25 · Dec 12
- Candler Feb 25 · Dec 12
- Summerfield Feb 25 · Dec 12
- Fairfield Feb 25 · Dec 12
- Reddick Feb 25 · Dec 12
- Citra Mar 1 · Dec 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ocala, FL?
The median last spring frost in Ocala, FL is February 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ocala, FL?
The median first fall frost is December 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 21.
How long is the growing season in Ocala, FL?
About 290 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ocala, FL?
Ocala, FL is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.