Frost Dates for Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Fort Walton Beach has 2 ZIP codes. The Fort Walton Beach, FL frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost March 13 · First fall frost November 21 · 253 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 32548 has about 23,800 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Fort Walton Beach.
Very long season: 253 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 17–April 2 (44 days). Fall frost risk spans November 1–December 6 (35 days).
Frost probability for 32548
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 2 | March 13 | February 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 1 | November 21 | December 6 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CRESTVIEW FAA/AP (42.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 253-day season in Fort Walton Beach
In Fort Walton Beach (253 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 6 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 211 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 27. | Jul 22 |
| Pepper | Jan 30 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 211 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 27. | Jul 27 |
| Lettuce | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 30 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 295 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 295 available after Feb 20. | Sep 19 |
| Cucumber | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Beans | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Peas | — | Jan 16–Mar 27 | 316 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 316 available after Jan 16. | Sep 10 |
| Zucchini | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Onion | Dec 19 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 288 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 16–Mar 6 | 330 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 19 |
| Kale | Jan 2 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 4 |
| Broccoli | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 288 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 13. | Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 302 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 302 available after Feb 13. | Sep 19 |
| Radish | — | Jan 16–Apr 10 | 316 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Oct 20 |
| Beets | — | Jan 16–Apr 10 | 316 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 274 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 274 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 21 | 358 | overwinter: Plant Nov 21 to Dec 12; harvest the following summer. | Dec 12 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 6–Apr 3 | 309 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 6; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 13 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 225 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 20. | Aug 3 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Mar 27 | 218 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 27. | Jul 9 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 30 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 267 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 6. | Aug 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 16 | Feb 27–Feb 27 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 16–Apr 10 | 330 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 19 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 302 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 302 available after Feb 13. | Aug 20 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 218 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 27. | Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Jan 23 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 211 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 27. | Aug 1 |
| Okra | Feb 13 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Basil | Feb 6 | Apr 3–Apr 3 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 13–Mar 6 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 25 |
| Parsley | Jan 2 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 253 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 20. | Sep 5 |
| Celery | Jan 2 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 253 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 20. | Jul 17 |
| Scallions | Jan 2 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 12. | Sep 29 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 9 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 316 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 4 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 13 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 30 |
| Collards | Jan 2 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 12. | Sep 29 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 211 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 27. | Jul 17 |
| Chives | Dec 19 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 267 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 16–Apr 10 | 316 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Oregano | Jan 2 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 267 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 19 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 253 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Sage | Jan 16 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 267 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 2 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 267 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 25 |
| Cosmos | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Lavender | Dec 19 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 274 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Melons | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 211 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 27. | Jul 17 |
| Mint | — | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 274 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 232 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 20. | Aug 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 218 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 27. | Jul 19 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 239 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 13. | Aug 15 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 16 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 218 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 20. | Jul 27 |
| Watermelon | Feb 27 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 218 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 20. | Jul 22 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Zinnias | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
Month by month in Fort Walton Beach
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 2), Collards (Jan 2), Kale (Jan 2), Oregano (Jan 2), Parsley (Jan 2), Scallions (Jan 2), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 16), Beets (Jan 16), Dill (Jan 16), Peas (Jan 16), Radish (Jan 16), Spinach (Jan 16), +1 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Basil (Feb 6), Tomato (Feb 6), Bok Choy (Feb 13), Corn (Feb 13), Cosmos (Feb 13), Nasturtiums (Feb 13), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Feb 13), Turnip (Feb 13), Carrots (Feb 20), Potatoes (Feb 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 13), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 13), Cabbage (Feb 13), Collards (Feb 13), Kale (Feb 13), Lettuce (Feb 13), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 6). |
| March | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Mar 13), Beans (Mar 20), Pole Beans (Mar 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Mar 6), Cauliflower (Mar 6), Cosmos (Mar 13), Lavender (Mar 13), Marigolds (Mar 13), Mint (Mar 13), +24 more. Last frost around March 13. |
| April | Transplant from: Basil (Apr 3). |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 9), Pumpkin (Jul 9), Cantaloupe (Jul 17), Celery (Jul 17), Melons (Jul 17), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 19), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Aug 1), Corn (Aug 3), Sunflowers (Aug 15), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 20), Pole Beans (Aug 20), Basil (Aug 25), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Beans (Sep 1), Marigolds (Sep 4), Parsley (Sep 5), Peas (Sep 10), Cabbage (Sep 19), Carrots (Sep 19), +9 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Kale (Oct 4), Kohlrabi (Oct 4), Turnip (Oct 9), Arugula (Oct 19), Spinach (Oct 19), Radish (Oct 20). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 21). First frost around November 21. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 19), Lavender (Dec 19), Onion (Dec 19), Rosemary (Dec 19). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 12). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Fort Walton Beach, FL (ZIP 32548)?
The median last spring frost date for Fort Walton Beach, FL (ZIP code 32548) is around March 13. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before February 17; one in ten it runs past April 2.
What is the first fall frost date in Fort Walton Beach, FL?
The median first fall frost date for Fort Walton Beach, FL is around November 21. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around November 1 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Fort Walton Beach, FL?
The frost-free growing season in Fort Walton Beach is about 253 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Fort Walton Beach (253 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Fort Walton Beach, FL?
Fort Walton Beach, FL is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Fort Walton Beach, FL?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 6 and plant out Mar 27 in Fort Walton Beach. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Fort Walton Beach?
Two: plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 28.
When do I plant garlic in Fort Walton Beach?
Nov 21 to Dec 12; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Fort Walton Beach?
Yes: plant out Mar 27 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 22 for a fall crop.
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