Frost Dates for Gainesville, FL 32641
Gainesville has 11 ZIP codes. The Gainesville, FL frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 25 · First fall frost December 7 · 285 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 32641 has about 14,000 people, one of 11 ZIP codes in Gainesville.
Very long season: 285 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 31–March 21 (49 days). Fall frost risk spans November 4–December 21 (47 days).
Frost probability for 32641
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 21 | February 25 | January 31 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 4 | December 7 | December 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at OCALA (53.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 285-day season in Gainesville
In Gainesville (285 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 21 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 243 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 11. | Aug 7 |
| Pepper | Jan 14 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 243 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 11. | Aug 12 |
| Lettuce | Dec 31 | Jan 28–Feb 4 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 16 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 4–Feb 11 | 327 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 327 available after Feb 4. | Oct 5 |
| Cucumber | Feb 4 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Beans | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Peas | — | Dec 31–Mar 11 | 348 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 348 available after Dec 31. | Sep 26 |
| Zucchini | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Onion | Dec 3 | Jan 28–Feb 11 | 320 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 320 available after Jan 28. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 31–Feb 18 | 362 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 31 and again by Nov 4; both mature before Dec 28. | Nov 4 |
| Kale | Dec 17 | Jan 28–Feb 11 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 28. | Oct 20 |
| Broccoli | Dec 31 | Jan 28–Feb 11 | 320 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 320 available after Jan 28. | Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Dec 31 | Jan 28–Feb 11 | 334 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 334 available after Jan 28. | Oct 5 |
| Radish | — | Dec 31–Mar 25 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 31 and again by Nov 5; both mature before Dec 14. | Nov 5 |
| Beets | — | Dec 31–Mar 25 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 31 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 11–Feb 18 | 306 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 306 available after Feb 11. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 7 | 390 | overwinter: Plant Dec 7 to Dec 28; harvest the following summer. | Dec 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 21–Mar 18 | 341 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 21; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 28 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 257 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 4. | Aug 19 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 11 | 250 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 11. | Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 14 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 299 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 18. | Sep 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 31 | Feb 11–Feb 11 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 6 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 31–Mar 25 | 362 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 31 and again by Nov 4; both mature before Dec 28. | Nov 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 31 | Jan 28–Feb 11 | 334 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 334 available after Jan 28. | Sep 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 250 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 11. | Jul 25 |
| Eggplant | Jan 7 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 243 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 11. | Aug 17 |
| Okra | Jan 28 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Basil | Jan 21 | Mar 18–Mar 18 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 28–Feb 18 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 11 |
| Parsley | Dec 17 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 285 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 285 available after Mar 4. | Sep 21 |
| Celery | Dec 17 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 285 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 285 available after Mar 4. | Aug 2 |
| Scallions | Dec 17 | Jan 28–Feb 11 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 28. | Oct 15 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 28–Feb 11 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 28. | Oct 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 14–Jan 28 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 28. | Oct 20 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 28 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 16 |
| Collards | Dec 17 | Jan 28–Feb 11 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 28. | Oct 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 243 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 11. | Aug 2 |
| Chives | Dec 3 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 299 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 299 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 31–Mar 25 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 31 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 6 |
| Oregano | Dec 17 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 299 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 299 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 3 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 285 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 285 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Sage | Dec 31 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 299 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 299 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 17 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 299 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 299 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 14 | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 11 |
| Cosmos | Jan 28 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Lavender | Dec 3 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 306 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 306 available after Feb 25. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 14 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Melons | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 243 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 11. | Aug 2 |
| Mint | — | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 306 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 306 available after Feb 25. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 28 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 264 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 4. | Sep 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 250 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 11. | Aug 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 271 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 271 available after Feb 25. | Aug 31 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 31 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 250 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 4. | Aug 12 |
| Watermelon | Feb 11 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 250 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 4. | Aug 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Zinnias | Jan 28 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
Month by month in Gainesville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Eggplant (Jan 7), Calendula (Jan 14), Cauliflower (Jan 14), Marigolds (Jan 14), Pepper (Jan 14), Basil (Jan 21), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Jan 14), Cilantro (Jan 28), Turnip (Jan 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 28), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 28), Cabbage (Jan 28), Collards (Jan 28), Kale (Jan 28), Lettuce (Jan 28), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 21). |
| February | Start indoors: Cucumber (Feb 4), Butternut Squash (Feb 11), Cantaloupe (Feb 11), Melons (Feb 11), Pumpkin (Feb 11), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 11), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Feb 4), Potatoes (Feb 11), Sunflowers (Feb 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 11), Swiss Chard (Feb 11), Bok Choy (Feb 18), Cauliflower (Feb 18), Cosmos (Feb 25), Lavender (Feb 25), +4 more. Last frost around February 25. |
| March | Direct sow from: Beans (Mar 4), Pole Beans (Mar 4). Transplant from: Celery (Mar 4), Chives (Mar 4), Corn (Mar 4), Okra (Mar 4), Oregano (Mar 4), Parsley (Mar 4), +17 more. |
| April | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| May | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| June | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 25), Pumpkin (Jul 25). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Aug 2), Celery (Aug 2), Melons (Aug 2), Spaghetti Squash (Aug 4), Tomato (Aug 7), Watermelon (Aug 7), +5 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Sep 5), Pole Beans (Sep 5), Basil (Sep 10), Cosmos (Sep 10), Cucumber (Sep 10), Zinnias (Sep 10), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Oct 5), Carrots (Oct 5), Beets (Oct 6), Dill (Oct 6), Swiss Chard (Oct 6), Calendula (Oct 11), +8 more. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Nov 4), Spinach (Nov 4), Radish (Nov 5). |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 3), Lavender (Dec 3), Onion (Dec 3), Rosemary (Dec 3), Celery (Dec 17), Collards (Dec 17), +12 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 7), Arugula (Dec 31), Beets (Dec 31), Dill (Dec 31), Peas (Dec 31), Radish (Dec 31), +1 more. First frost around December 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 28). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Gainesville, FL (ZIP 32641)?
The median last spring frost date for Gainesville, FL (ZIP code 32641) is around February 25. 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 31; one in ten it runs past March 21.
What is the first fall frost date in Gainesville, FL?
The median first fall frost date for Gainesville, FL is around December 7. 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 4 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 285 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 (285 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 21 and plant out Mar 11 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 Jan 28 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 14.
When do I plant garlic in Gainesville?
Dec 7 to Dec 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Gainesville?
Yes: plant out Mar 11 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 7 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Hawthorne (ZIP 32640) has 299 frost-free days, 14 more than Gainesville (ZIP 32641). See Hawthorne ZIP 32640 frost dates
Nearby and related
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