Valparaiso, FL frost dates
Last spring frostMar 12median date
First fall frostNov 19median date
Growing season252 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Valparaiso compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Valparaiso falls between February 14 and March 31, a 45-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 3 and December 13.
- The median last frost is 9 days later than the Florida median of Mar 3.
- Its 252-day growing season is longer than 5% of the 174 Florida places with a regular frost season (state median 273 days).
- The last frost is 9 days later 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 36 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Pensacola, FL, 72 km away, the last frost here is 26 days later than there and the growing season is 46 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 14 |
| 50% (median) | March 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 3 |
| 50% (median) | November 19 |
| 90% (late) | December 13 |
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 Valparaiso, FL
Valparaiso, FL frost dates — last frost Mar 12, first frost Nov 19, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 16
Plant for fall: Nov 5 to Dec 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Valparaiso, FL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 12 – Mar 19 | Sep 24 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Broccoli | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Okra | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Basil | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 5 – Mar 19 | Oct 8 – Oct 29 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 5 – Dec 10 |
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 Niceville, FL weather station, 3 km away (elevation 59 ft (18 m)).
Frost dates near Valparaiso
- Niceville Mar 12 · Nov 19
- Shalimar Feb 5 · Dec 28
- Eglin Afb Mar 12 · Nov 19
- Destin Feb 5 · Dec 28
- Fort Walton Beach Feb 5 · Dec 28
- Miramar Beach Feb 5 · Dec 28
- Hurlburt Field Feb 5 · Dec 28
- Mary Esther Mar 1 · Nov 27
- Santa Rosa Beach Feb 5 · Dec 28
- Crestview Mar 21 · Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Valparaiso, FL?
The median last spring frost in Valparaiso, FL is March 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Valparaiso, FL?
The median first fall frost is November 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 3.
How long is the growing season in Valparaiso, FL?
About 252 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Valparaiso, FL?
Valparaiso, FL is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.