Frost dates for 32609 — Gainesville, FL
Last spring frostMar 3median date
First fall frostDec 2median date
Growing season274 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Gainesville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Gainesville falls between February 1 and March 23, a 50-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 12 and January 1.
- The median last frost is the same as the Florida median of Mar 3.
- Its 274-day growing season is longer than 55% 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 15 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Jacksonville, FL, 93 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 1 |
| 50% (median) | March 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 12 |
| 50% (median) | December 2 |
| 90% (late) | January 1 |
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 32609 — Gainesville, FL — last frost Mar 3, first frost Dec 2, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 9 to Dec 23Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17
Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 4
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Sow outdoors: Jan 20 to Feb 10Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Jan 20 to Feb 10Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 27 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 11
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Plant for fall: Nov 18 to Dec 23
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 9 – Dec 23 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Feb 3 – Mar 10 | Oct 7 – Nov 4 |
| Kale | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Broccoli | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Cabbage | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Okra | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — |
| Basil | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 20 – Feb 10 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 20 – Feb 10 | Oct 7 – Oct 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 27 – Mar 10 | Oct 21 – Nov 11 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | — | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Sep 23 – Oct 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | — | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 10 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 10 | Sep 23 – Oct 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 17 | Sep 23 – Oct 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Oct 7 – Oct 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 18 – Dec 23 |
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 Rgnl Ap, FL weather station, 3 km away (elevation 125 ft (38 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
- Waldo Mar 3 · Dec 2
- La Crosse Mar 13 · Nov 22
- Earleton Mar 3 · Dec 2
- Alachua Mar 13 · Nov 22
- Micanopy Mar 3 · Dec 2
- Hampton Feb 8 · Dec 24
- Hawthorne Mar 1 · Dec 7
- Brooker Feb 8 · Dec 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Gainesville, FL?
The median last spring frost in Gainesville, FL is March 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 23, 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 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 12.
How long is the growing season in Gainesville, FL?
About 274 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.