Orange Lake, FL frost dates
Last spring frostMar 1median date
First fall frostDec 7median date
Growing season281 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Orange Lake compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Orange Lake falls between January 29 and March 22, a 52-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 16 and January 9.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Florida median of Mar 3.
- Its 281-day growing season is longer than 78% of the 174 Florida places with a regular frost season (state median 273 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 9a, where the median is Mar 3.
- The weather station records an average of 17 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Ocala, FL, 29 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 9 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 29 |
| 50% (median) | March 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 16 |
| 50% (median) | December 7 |
| 90% (late) | January 9 |
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 Orange Lake, FL
Orange Lake, FL frost dates — last frost Mar 1, first frost Dec 7, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 7 to Dec 21Transplant outside: Feb 1 to Feb 15
Start indoors: Dec 21 to Jan 4Start indoors: Dec 21 to Jan 4Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Dec 21 to Jan 4Start indoors: Dec 21 to Jan 4Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 9
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Feb 1 to Feb 15Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Sow outdoors: Jan 18 to Feb 8Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Jan 18 to Feb 8Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 2
Sow outdoors: Jan 25 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 16
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 8Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 8Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Apr 5
Plant for fall: Nov 23 to Dec 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Orange Lake, FL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 1 – Mar 8 | Oct 12 – Nov 9 |
| Kale | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Broccoli | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Cabbage | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | — | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Okra | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — |
| Basil | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 18 – Feb 8 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 18 – Feb 8 | Oct 12 – Nov 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 25 – Mar 8 | Oct 26 – Nov 16 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Sep 28 – Oct 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 8 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 8 | Sep 28 – Oct 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Sep 28 – Oct 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Oct 12 – Nov 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 23 – Dec 28 |
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 Orange Springs 2ssw, FL weather station, 25 km away (elevation 49 ft (15 m)).
Frost dates near Orange Lake
- Mc Intosh Mar 1 · Dec 7
- Reddick Feb 25 · Dec 12
- Evinston Mar 3 · Dec 2
- Lowell Feb 25 · Dec 12
- Fairfield Feb 25 · Dec 12
- Island Grove Mar 1 · Dec 7
- Citra Mar 1 · Dec 7
- Micanopy Mar 3 · Dec 2
- Lochloosa Mar 1 · Dec 7
- Sparr Feb 25 · Dec 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Orange Lake, FL?
The median last spring frost in Orange Lake, FL is March 1. 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 Orange Lake, FL?
The median first fall frost is December 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 16.
How long is the growing season in Orange Lake, FL?
About 281 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Orange Lake, FL?
Orange Lake, FL is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.