Frost Dates for Gainesville, FL 32608
Last spring frost March 1 · First fall frost November 26 · 270 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 32608 has about 54,600 people, the largest of 11 ZIP codes in Gainesville.
Very long season: 270 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 30–March 27 (56 days). Fall frost risk spans October 31–December 21 (51 days).
Frost probability for 32608
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 27 | March 1 | January 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 31 | November 26 | December 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at USHER TWR (46.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Gainesville, FL
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32608 | March 1 | November 26 | 9a |
| 32607 | March 1 | November 26 | 9a |
| 32605 | March 1 | November 26 | 9a |
| 32601 | February 25 | December 7 | 9a |
| 32606 | March 1 | November 26 | 9a |
| 32609 | March 4 | November 26 | 9a |
| 32653 | February 26 | November 27 | 9a |
| 32641 | February 25 | December 7 | 9a |
| 32612 | March 1 | November 26 | 9a |
| 32603 | March 1 | November 26 | 9a |
| 32610 | March 1 | November 26 | 9a |
Which crops fit a 270-day season in Gainesville
In Gainesville (270 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 | Jan 25 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 228 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 15. | Jul 27 |
| Pepper | Jan 18 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 228 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 15. | Aug 1 |
| Lettuce | Jan 4 | Feb 1–Feb 8 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 5 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 312 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 312 available after Feb 8. | Sep 24 |
| Cucumber | Feb 8 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Beans | — | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Peas | — | Jan 4–Mar 15 | 333 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 333 available after Jan 4. | Sep 15 |
| Zucchini | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Onion | Dec 7 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 305 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 4–Feb 22 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Oct 24; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 24 |
| Kale | Dec 21 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 9 |
| Broccoli | Jan 4 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 305 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 1. | Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Jan 4 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 319 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 319 available after Feb 1. | Sep 24 |
| Radish | — | Jan 4–Mar 29 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 25 |
| Beets | — | Jan 4–Mar 29 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 291 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 26 | 375 | overwinter: Plant Nov 26 to Dec 17; harvest the following summer. | Dec 17 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 25–Mar 22 | 326 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 1 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 242 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 8. | Aug 8 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 15 | 235 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 15. | Jul 14 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 18 | Feb 22–Mar 8 | 284 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 284 available after Feb 22. | Sep 5 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 4 | Feb 15–Feb 15 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 4–Mar 29 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Oct 24; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 24 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 4 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 319 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 319 available after Feb 1. | Aug 25 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 235 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 15. | Jul 14 |
| Eggplant | Jan 11 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 228 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 15. | Aug 6 |
| Okra | Feb 1 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Basil | Jan 25 | Mar 22–Mar 22 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 1–Feb 22 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 30 |
| Parsley | Dec 21 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 270 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 8. | Sep 10 |
| Celery | Dec 21 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 270 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 8. | Jul 22 |
| Scallions | Dec 21 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 4 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 14 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 18–Feb 1 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 18 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 9 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 1 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 5 |
| Collards | Dec 21 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 4 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 228 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 15. | Jul 22 |
| Chives | Dec 7 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 284 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 284 available after Mar 8. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 4–Mar 29 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Oregano | Dec 21 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 284 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 284 available after Mar 8. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 7 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 270 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 8. | — |
| Sage | Jan 4 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 284 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 284 available after Mar 8. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 21 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 284 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 284 available after Mar 8. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 18 | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 30 |
| Cosmos | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Lavender | Dec 7 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 291 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 291 available after Mar 1. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 9 |
| Melons | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 228 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 15. | Jul 22 |
| Mint | — | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 291 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 291 available after Mar 1. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 249 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 8. | Aug 25 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 15. | Jul 24 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 256 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 1. | Aug 20 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 4 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 235 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 8. | Aug 1 |
| Watermelon | Feb 15 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 235 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 8. | Jul 27 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Zinnias | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
Month by month in Gainesville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 4), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 4), Cabbage (Jan 4), Lettuce (Jan 4), Sage (Jan 4), Swiss Chard (Jan 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 4), Beets (Jan 4), Dill (Jan 4), Peas (Jan 4), Radish (Jan 4), Spinach (Jan 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 25). |
| February | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Feb 1), Corn (Feb 1), Cosmos (Feb 1), Nasturtiums (Feb 1), Okra (Feb 1), Zinnias (Feb 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Feb 1), Turnip (Feb 1), Carrots (Feb 8), Potatoes (Feb 15). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 1), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 1), Cabbage (Feb 1), Collards (Feb 1), Kale (Feb 1), Lettuce (Feb 1), +6 more. |
| March | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Mar 1), Beans (Mar 8), Pole Beans (Mar 8). Transplant from: Cosmos (Mar 1), Lavender (Mar 1), Marigolds (Mar 1), Mint (Mar 1), Nasturtiums (Mar 1), Zinnias (Mar 1), +23 more. Last frost around March 1. |
| April | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| 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 14), Pumpkin (Jul 14), Cantaloupe (Jul 22), Celery (Jul 22), Melons (Jul 22), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 24), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 1), Tomatillos (Aug 1), Eggplant (Aug 6), Corn (Aug 8), Sunflowers (Aug 20), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 25), +6 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Sep 4), Okra (Sep 4), Yellow Squash (Sep 4), Zucchini (Sep 4), Cauliflower (Sep 5), Beans (Sep 6), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Collards (Oct 4), Scallions (Oct 4), Bok Choy (Oct 5), Lettuce (Oct 5), Kale (Oct 9), Kohlrabi (Oct 9), +4 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 26). First frost around November 26. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 7), Lavender (Dec 7), Onion (Dec 7), Rosemary (Dec 7), Celery (Dec 21), Collards (Dec 21), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 17). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Gainesville, FL (ZIP 32608)?
The median last spring frost date for Gainesville, FL (ZIP code 32608) is around March 1. 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 January 30; one in ten it runs past March 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Gainesville, FL?
The median first fall frost date for Gainesville, FL is around November 26. 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 October 31 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Gainesville, FL?
The frost-free growing season in Gainesville is about 270 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 Gainesville (270 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 Gainesville, FL?
Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, FL?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 25 and plant out Mar 15 in Gainesville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Gainesville?
Two: plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 3.
When do I plant garlic in Gainesville?
Nov 26 to Dec 17; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Gainesville?
Yes: plant out Mar 15 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 27 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Hawthorne (ZIP 32640) has 299 frost-free days, 29 more than Gainesville (ZIP 32608). See Hawthorne ZIP 32640 frost dates
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