Frost dates for 32608 — Gainesville, FL
Last spring frostMar 4median date
First fall frostDec 4median date
Growing season275 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Gainesville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Gainesville falls between February 3 and March 26, a 51-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 10 and January 6.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Florida median of Mar 3.
- Its 275-day growing season is longer than 58% 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 20 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Jacksonville, FL, 105 km away, gets only light, occasional frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 3 |
| 50% (median) | March 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 10 |
| 50% (median) | December 4 |
| 90% (late) | January 6 |
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 Gainesville, FL
Frost dates for 32608 — Gainesville, FL — last frost Mar 4, first frost Dec 4, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 6
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Oct 30
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 13
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Oct 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 8
Plant for fall: Nov 20 to Dec 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Gainesville, FL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 4 – Mar 11 | Oct 9 – Nov 6 |
| Kale | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Broccoli | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cabbage | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Okra | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — |
| Basil | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 21 – Feb 11 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 21 – Feb 11 | Oct 9 – Oct 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 28 – Mar 11 | Oct 23 – Nov 13 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Oct 9 – Oct 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 20 – Dec 25 |
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 Gainesville 11 Wnw, FL weather station, 13 km away (elevation 95 ft (29 m)).
ZIP codes in Gainesville: 32601 32602 32603 32604 32605 32606 32607 32608 32609 32610 32611 32612 32614 32627 32635 32641 32653
Frost dates near Gainesville
- Archer Mar 4 · Dec 4
- Micanopy Mar 3 · Dec 2
- Newberry Mar 4 · Dec 4
- Evinston Mar 3 · Dec 2
- Alachua Mar 13 · Nov 22
- Mc Intosh Mar 1 · Dec 7
- La Crosse Mar 13 · Nov 22
- Williston Mar 4 · Dec 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Gainesville, FL?
The median last spring frost in Gainesville, FL is March 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 26, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Gainesville, FL?
The median first fall frost is December 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 10.
How long is the growing season in Gainesville, FL?
About 275 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Gainesville, FL?
Gainesville, FL is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.