Frost Dates for Gainesville, FL 32653
Gainesville has 11 ZIP codes. The Gainesville, FL frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 26 · First fall frost November 27 · 274 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 32653 has about 15,200 people, one of 11 ZIP codes in Gainesville.
Very long season: 274 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 3–March 21 (46 days). Fall frost risk spans November 6–December 21 (45 days).
Frost probability for 32653
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 21 | February 26 | February 3 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 6 | November 27 | December 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LAKE CITY 2 E (52.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 274-day season in Gainesville
In Gainesville (274 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 22 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 232 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 12. | Jul 28 |
| Pepper | Jan 15 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 232 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 12. | Aug 2 |
| Lettuce | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 5 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 6 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 316 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 316 available after Feb 5. | Sep 25 |
| Cucumber | Feb 5 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Beans | — | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Peas | — | Jan 1–Mar 12 | 337 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 337 available after Jan 1. | Sep 16 |
| Zucchini | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Onion | Dec 4 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 309 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 309 available after Jan 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 1–Feb 19 | 351 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 25 |
| Kale | Dec 18 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Broccoli | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 309 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 309 available after Jan 29. | Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 323 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 323 available after Jan 29. | Sep 25 |
| Radish | — | Jan 1–Mar 26 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 26 |
| Beets | — | Jan 1–Mar 26 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 295 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 295 available after Feb 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 27 | 379 | overwinter: Plant Nov 27 to Dec 18; harvest the following summer. | Dec 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 22–Mar 19 | 330 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 29 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 246 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 5. | Aug 9 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 12 | 239 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 12. | Jul 15 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 15 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 288 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 19. | Sep 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 1 | Feb 12–Feb 12 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 1–Mar 26 | 351 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 323 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 323 available after Jan 29. | Aug 26 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 239 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 12. | Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Jan 8 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 232 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 12. | Aug 7 |
| Okra | Jan 29 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Basil | Jan 22 | Mar 19–Mar 19 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 29–Feb 19 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Parsley | Dec 18 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 274 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 5. | Sep 11 |
| Celery | Dec 18 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 274 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 5. | Jul 23 |
| Scallions | Dec 18 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 5 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 15–Jan 29 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 15 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 29 | Feb 19–Feb 26 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 6 |
| Collards | Dec 18 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 232 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 12. | Jul 23 |
| Chives | Dec 4 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 288 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 288 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 1–Mar 26 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Oregano | Dec 18 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 288 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 288 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 4 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 274 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Sage | Jan 1 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 288 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 288 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 18 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 288 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 288 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 26 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Cosmos | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Lavender | Dec 4 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 295 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 295 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Melons | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 232 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 12. | Jul 23 |
| Mint | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 295 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 295 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 253 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 5. | Aug 26 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 12. | Jul 25 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 260 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Feb 26. | Aug 21 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 1 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 239 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 5. | Aug 2 |
| Watermelon | Feb 12 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 239 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 5. | Jul 28 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Zinnias | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
Month by month in Gainesville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 1), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 1), Cabbage (Jan 1), Lettuce (Jan 1), Sage (Jan 1), Swiss Chard (Jan 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 1), Beets (Jan 1), Dill (Jan 1), Peas (Jan 1), Radish (Jan 1), Spinach (Jan 1), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 29), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 29), Cabbage (Jan 29), Collards (Jan 29), Kale (Jan 29), Lettuce (Jan 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 22). |
| February | Start indoors: Cucumber (Feb 5), Butternut Squash (Feb 12), Cantaloupe (Feb 12), Melons (Feb 12), Pumpkin (Feb 12), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Feb 5), Potatoes (Feb 12), Sunflowers (Feb 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 12), Swiss Chard (Feb 12), Bok Choy (Feb 19), Cauliflower (Feb 19), Cosmos (Feb 26), Lavender (Feb 26), +4 more. Last frost around February 26. |
| March | Direct sow from: Beans (Mar 5), Pole Beans (Mar 5). Transplant from: Celery (Mar 5), Chives (Mar 5), Corn (Mar 5), Okra (Mar 5), Oregano (Mar 5), Parsley (Mar 5), +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 15), Pumpkin (Jul 15), Cantaloupe (Jul 23), Celery (Jul 23), Melons (Jul 23), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 25), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 2), Tomatillos (Aug 2), Eggplant (Aug 7), Corn (Aug 9), Sunflowers (Aug 21), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 26), +5 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Sep 1), Nasturtiums (Sep 5), Okra (Sep 5), Yellow Squash (Sep 5), Zucchini (Sep 5), Cauliflower (Sep 6), +9 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 1), Cilantro (Oct 1), Collards (Oct 5), Scallions (Oct 5), Bok Choy (Oct 6), Lettuce (Oct 6), +6 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 27). First frost around November 27. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 4), Lavender (Dec 4), Onion (Dec 4), Rosemary (Dec 4), Celery (Dec 18), Collards (Dec 18), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 18). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Gainesville, FL (ZIP 32653)?
The median last spring frost date for Gainesville, FL (ZIP code 32653) is around February 26. 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 3; 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 November 27. 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 6 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 274 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 (274 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 22 and plant out Mar 12 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 29 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4.
When do I plant garlic in Gainesville?
Nov 27 to Dec 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Gainesville?
Yes: plant out Mar 12 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 28 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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