Frost Dates for Lake Wales, FL 33898
Last spring frost February 3 · First fall frost January 7 · 338 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 33898 has about 18,500 people, the largest of 3 ZIP codes in Lake Wales.
Very long season: 338 frost-free days.
Frost probability for 33898
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 10 | February 3 | — |
| Fall (first frost) | December 7 | January 7 | — |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at AVON PARK 2 W (32.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Lake Wales, FL
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33898 | February 3 | January 7 | 9b |
| 33853 | February 6 | January 4 | 9b |
| 33859 | January 30 | January 12 | 10a |
Which crops fit a 338-day season in Lake Wales
In Lake Wales (338 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 | Dec 30 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 296 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 296 available after Feb 17. | Sep 7 |
| Pepper | Dec 23 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 296 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 296 available after Feb 17. | Sep 12 |
| Lettuce | Dec 9 | Jan 6–Jan 13 | 373 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Nov 16; both mature before Jan 14. | Nov 16 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 13–Jan 20 | 380 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 380 available after Jan 13. | Nov 5 |
| Cucumber | Jan 13 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 310 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 11 |
| Beans | — | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 324 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 31. | Oct 18 |
| Peas | — | Dec 9–Feb 17 | 401 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 401 available after Dec 9. | Oct 27 |
| Zucchini | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 310 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 16 |
| Onion | Nov 11 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 373 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 373 available after Jan 6. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 9–Jan 27 | 415 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 9 and again by Dec 5; both mature before Jan 28. | Dec 5 |
| Kale | Nov 25 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 387 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Nov 20; both mature before Jan 28. | Nov 20 |
| Broccoli | Dec 9 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 373 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 373 available after Jan 6. | Oct 12 |
| Cabbage | Dec 9 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 387 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 387 available after Jan 6. | Nov 5 |
| Radish | — | Dec 9–Mar 3 | 401 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 9 and again by Dec 6; both mature before Jan 14. | Dec 6 |
| Beets | — | Dec 9–Mar 3 | 401 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 9 and again by Nov 6; both mature before Jan 14. | Nov 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 20–Jan 27 | 359 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 359 available after Jan 20. | — |
| Garlic | — | Jan 7 | 443 | overwinter: Plant Jan 7 to Jan 28; harvest the following summer. | Jan 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Dec 30–Feb 24 | 394 | perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 30; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 6 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 310 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 310 available after Feb 10. | Sep 19 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 17 | 303 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 303 available after Feb 17. | Aug 25 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 23 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 352 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 352 available after Jan 27. | Oct 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 9 | Jan 20–Jan 20 | 359 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Nov 6; both mature before Jan 14. | Nov 6 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 9–Mar 3 | 415 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 9 and again by Dec 5; both mature before Jan 28. | Dec 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 9 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 387 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 387 available after Jan 6. | Oct 6 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 303 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 303 available after Feb 17. | Aug 25 |
| Eggplant | Dec 16 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 296 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 296 available after Feb 17. | Sep 17 |
| Okra | Jan 6 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 317 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 16 |
| Basil | Dec 30 | Feb 24–Feb 24 | 303 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 11 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 6–Jan 27 | 373 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Nov 11; both mature before Jan 14. | Nov 11 |
| Parsley | Nov 25 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 338 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 338 available after Feb 10. | Oct 22 |
| Celery | Nov 25 | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 338 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 338 available after Feb 10. | Sep 2 |
| Scallions | Nov 25 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 387 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Nov 15; both mature before Jan 28. | Nov 15 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 387 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Nov 25; both mature before Jan 28. | Nov 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 23–Jan 6 | 401 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Nov 20; both mature before Jan 28. | Nov 20 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 6 | Jan 27–Feb 3 | 352 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Nov 16; both mature before Jan 14. | Nov 16 |
| Collards | Nov 25 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 387 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Nov 15; both mature before Jan 28. | Nov 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 296 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 296 available after Feb 17. | Sep 2 |
| Chives | Nov 11 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 352 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 352 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 9–Mar 3 | 401 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 9 and again by Nov 6; both mature before Jan 14. | Nov 6 |
| Oregano | Nov 25 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 352 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 352 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 11 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 338 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 338 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Sage | Dec 9 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 352 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 352 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 25 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 352 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 352 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 359 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Nov 11; both mature before Jan 14. | Nov 11 |
| Cosmos | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 324 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 11 |
| Lavender | Nov 11 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 359 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 359 available after Feb 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 23 | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 324 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 21 |
| Melons | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 296 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 296 available after Feb 17. | Sep 2 |
| Mint | — | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 359 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 359 available after Feb 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 324 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 16 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 317 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 317 available after Feb 10. | Oct 6 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 303 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 303 available after Feb 17. | Sep 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 324 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 324 available after Feb 3. | Oct 1 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 9 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 303 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 303 available after Feb 10. | Sep 12 |
| Watermelon | Jan 20 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 303 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 303 available after Feb 10. | Sep 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 310 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 16 |
| Zinnias | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 324 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 11 |
Month by month in Lake Wales
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Jan 6), Corn (Jan 6), Cosmos (Jan 6), Nasturtiums (Jan 6), Okra (Jan 6), Zinnias (Jan 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jan 6), Turnip (Jan 6), Garlic (Jan 7), Carrots (Jan 13), Potatoes (Jan 20). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 6), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 6), Cabbage (Jan 6), Collards (Jan 6), Kale (Jan 6), Lettuce (Jan 6), +6 more. First frost around January 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Jan 28). |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 3), Beans (Feb 10), Pole Beans (Feb 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (Feb 3), Lavender (Feb 3), Marigolds (Feb 3), Mint (Feb 3), Nasturtiums (Feb 3), Zinnias (Feb 3), +23 more. Last frost around February 3. |
| March | Transplant warm-season crops outdoors. Sow beans, cucumbers, and squash. |
| April | Main warm-season planting window. Direct sow melons and sweet corn. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce. Keep beds irrigated as temperatures climb. |
| June | Monitor for heat stress. Harvest zucchini and cucumbers frequently. |
| July | Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Watch for pests. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Aug 25), Pumpkin (Aug 25). |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Sep 2), Celery (Sep 2), Melons (Sep 2), Spaghetti Squash (Sep 4), Tomato (Sep 7), Watermelon (Sep 7), +4 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Oct 1), Brussel Sprouts (Oct 6), Pole Beans (Oct 6), Basil (Oct 11), Cosmos (Oct 11), Cucumber (Oct 11), +11 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 11), Lavender (Nov 11), Onion (Nov 11), Rosemary (Nov 11), Celery (Nov 25), Collards (Nov 25), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Nov 5), Carrots (Nov 5), Beets (Nov 6), Dill (Nov 6), Swiss Chard (Nov 6), Calendula (Nov 11), +8 more. |
| December | Start indoors: Broccoli (Dec 9), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 9), Cabbage (Dec 9), Lettuce (Dec 9), Sage (Dec 9), Swiss Chard (Dec 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 9), Beets (Dec 9), Dill (Dec 9), Peas (Dec 9), Radish (Dec 9), Spinach (Dec 9), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Dec 30). Last sowing dates: Arugula (Dec 5), Spinach (Dec 5), Radish (Dec 6). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Lake Wales, FL (ZIP 33898)?
The median last spring frost date for Lake Wales, FL (ZIP code 33898) is around February 3. 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.
What is the first fall frost date in Lake Wales, FL?
The median first fall frost date for Lake Wales, FL is around January 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 December 7 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Lake Wales, FL?
The frost-free growing season in Lake Wales is about 338 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 Lake Wales (338 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 Lake Wales, FL?
Lake Wales, FL is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (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 Lake Wales, FL?
Start tomatoes indoors Dec 30 and plant out Feb 17 in Lake Wales. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Lake Wales?
Two: plant Jan 6 and again by Nov 16; both mature before Jan 14.
When do I plant garlic in Lake Wales?
Jan 7 to Jan 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Lake Wales?
Yes: plant out Feb 17 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Sep 7 for a fall crop.
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