South Bay, FL frost dates
Last spring frostJan 27median date
First fall frostJan 16median date
Growing season354 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone10aZone 10a
Frost is light and occasional here — typically a few cold nights around midwinter (about 1 a year). Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
How South Bay compares
- In a typical year, frost nights in South Bay fall between January 16 and January 27. In 1 year in 10 the first frost comes as early as December 26, or the last frost as late as February 18.
- Nearby Wellington, FL, 49 km away, rarely gets frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 1 |
| 50% (median) | January 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | February 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | December 26 |
| 50% (median) | January 16 |
| 90% (late) | February 10 |
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 South Bay, FL
South Bay, FL frost dates — last frost Jan 27, first frost Jan 16, zone 10a. 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 4 to Nov 18Transplant outside: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Dec 30 to Jan 13
Start indoors: Nov 18 to Dec 2Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24
Start indoors: Nov 18 to Dec 2Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24
Start indoors: Dec 2 to Dec 16Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17
Start indoors: Dec 2 to Dec 16Transplant outside: Jan 6 to Jan 20Sow outdoors: Dec 30 to Feb 3Sow outdoors: Dec 30 to Feb 3Plant for fall: Nov 21 to Dec 19
Start indoors: Dec 2 to Dec 16Transplant outside: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Dec 30 to Jan 13Sow outdoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Sow outdoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Plant for fall: Nov 7 to Nov 28
Start indoors: Dec 2 to Dec 16Transplant outside: Jan 13 to Jan 27Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 31
Start indoors: Dec 2 to Dec 16Transplant outside: Jan 6 to Jan 20Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 31
Start indoors: Dec 2 to Dec 16Transplant outside: Jan 13 to Jan 27Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 31
Start indoors: Dec 16 to Dec 30Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3
Start indoors: Dec 16 to Dec 30Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17
Sow outdoors: Dec 16 to Jan 6Sow outdoors: Dec 16 to Jan 6Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 14
Sow outdoors: Dec 16 to Jan 6Sow outdoors: Dec 16 to Jan 6Plant for fall: Nov 21 to Dec 12
Sow outdoors: Dec 23 to Feb 3Sow outdoors: Dec 23 to Feb 3Plant for fall: Dec 5 to Dec 26
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 17Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Oct 31 to Nov 14
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 6Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Nov 7 to Nov 21
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 6Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24
Sow outdoors: Jan 6 to Feb 3Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 7
Sow outdoors: Jan 6 to Feb 3Plant for fall: Nov 7 to Nov 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 6 to Jan 27
Sow outdoors: Jan 13 to Feb 10Plant for fall: Nov 7 to Nov 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 13 to Feb 3Plant for fall: Nov 21 to Dec 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Oct 31 to Nov 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17
Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Mar 3
Plant for fall: Jan 2 to Feb 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in South Bay, FL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 4 – Nov 18 | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Dec 30 – Feb 3 | Nov 21 – Dec 19 |
| Kale | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Nov 7 – Nov 28 |
| Broccoli | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | — | Oct 10 – Oct 31 |
| Cabbage | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | — | Oct 10 – Oct 31 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | — | Oct 10 – Oct 31 |
| Okra | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — |
| Basil | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Dec 16 – Jan 6 | Oct 24 – Nov 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Dec 16 – Jan 6 | Nov 21 – Dec 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Dec 23 – Feb 3 | Dec 5 – Dec 26 |
| Cucumbers | Dec 30 – Jan 6 | Feb 10 – Feb 17 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Oct 31 – Nov 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Dec 30 – Jan 6 | — | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Nov 7 – Nov 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Dec 30 – Jan 6 | — | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Dec 30 – Jan 6 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 6 – Feb 3 | Oct 24 – Nov 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 6 – Feb 3 | Nov 7 – Nov 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 6 – Jan 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 13 – Feb 10 | Nov 7 – Nov 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 13 – Feb 3 | Nov 21 – Dec 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 3 – Feb 24 | Oct 31 – Nov 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Jan 2 – Feb 6 |
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 Belle Glade, FL weather station, 6 km away (elevation 20 ft (6 m)).
Frost dates near South Bay
- Belle Glade Jan 27 · Jan 16
- Lake Harbor Jan 27 · Jan 16
- Pahokee rare frost
- Clewiston Jan 27 · Jan 13
- Canal Point rare frost
- Loxahatchee Jan 21 · Jan 15
- Wellington rare frost
- Royal Palm Beach rare frost
- Indiantown Jan 26 · Jan 15
- Moore Haven Jan 27 · Jan 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in South Bay, FL?
The median last spring frost in South Bay, FL is January 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after February 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in South Bay, FL?
The median first fall frost is January 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before December 26.
How long is the growing season in South Bay, FL?
About 354 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is South Bay, FL?
South Bay, FL is in USDA hardiness zone 10a.