Frost Dates for Lakeland, FL 33811
Last spring frost January 30 · First fall frost January 13 · 348 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 33811 has about 29,500 people, one of 9 ZIP codes in Lakeland.
Very long season: 348 frost-free days.
Frost probability for 33811
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 8 | January 30 | — |
| Fall (first frost) | December 9 | January 13 | — |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WINTER HAVEN (28.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 348-day season in Lakeland
In Lakeland (348 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 26 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 306 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 306 available after Feb 13. | Sep 13 |
| Pepper | Dec 19 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 306 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 306 available after Feb 13. | Sep 18 |
| Lettuce | Dec 5 | Jan 2–Jan 9 | 383 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Nov 22; both mature before Jan 20. | Nov 22 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 9–Jan 16 | 390 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 390 available after Jan 9. | Nov 11 |
| Cucumber | Jan 9 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 30. | Oct 17 |
| Beans | — | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 24; both mature before Jan 6. | Oct 24 |
| Peas | — | Dec 5–Feb 13 | 411 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 411 available after Dec 5. | Nov 2 |
| Zucchini | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Dec 30. | Oct 22 |
| Onion | Nov 7 | Jan 2–Jan 16 | 383 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 383 available after Jan 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 5–Jan 23 | 425 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 5 and again by Dec 11; both mature before Feb 3. | Dec 11 |
| Kale | Nov 21 | Jan 2–Jan 16 | 397 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Nov 26; both mature before Feb 3. | Nov 26 |
| Broccoli | Dec 5 | Jan 2–Jan 16 | 383 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 383 available after Jan 2. | Oct 18 |
| Cabbage | Dec 5 | Jan 2–Jan 16 | 397 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 397 available after Jan 2. | Nov 11 |
| Radish | — | Dec 5–Feb 27 | 411 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 5 and again by Dec 12; both mature before Jan 20. | Dec 12 |
| Beets | — | Dec 5–Feb 27 | 411 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 5 and again by Nov 12; both mature before Jan 20. | Nov 12 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 16–Jan 23 | 369 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 369 available after Jan 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Jan 13 | 453 | overwinter: Plant Jan 13 to Feb 3; harvest the following summer. | Feb 3 |
| Strawberry | — | Dec 26–Feb 20 | 404 | perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 2 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 320 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 320 available after Feb 6. | Sep 25 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 13 | 313 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 13. | Aug 31 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 19 | Jan 23–Feb 6 | 362 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 362 available after Jan 23. | Oct 23 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 5 | Jan 16–Jan 16 | 369 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Nov 12; both mature before Jan 20. | Nov 12 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 5–Feb 27 | 425 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 5 and again by Dec 11; both mature before Feb 3. | Dec 11 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 5 | Jan 2–Jan 16 | 397 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 397 available after Jan 2. | Oct 12 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 313 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 13. | Aug 31 |
| Eggplant | Dec 12 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 306 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 306 available after Feb 13. | Sep 23 |
| Okra | Jan 2 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 327 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Dec 30. | Oct 22 |
| Basil | Dec 26 | Feb 20–Feb 20 | 313 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 30. | Oct 17 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 2–Jan 23 | 383 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Nov 17; both mature before Jan 20. | Nov 17 |
| Parsley | Nov 21 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 348 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 348 available after Feb 6. | Oct 28 |
| Celery | Nov 21 | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 348 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 348 available after Feb 6. | Sep 8 |
| Scallions | Nov 21 | Jan 2–Jan 16 | 397 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Nov 21; both mature before Feb 3. | Nov 21 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 2–Jan 16 | 397 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Dec 1; both mature before Feb 3. | Dec 1 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 19–Jan 2 | 411 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Nov 26; both mature before Feb 3. | Nov 26 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 2 | Jan 23–Jan 30 | 362 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Nov 22; both mature before Jan 20. | Nov 22 |
| Collards | Nov 21 | Jan 2–Jan 16 | 397 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Nov 21; both mature before Feb 3. | Nov 21 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 306 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 306 available after Feb 13. | Sep 8 |
| Chives | Nov 7 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 362 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 362 available after Feb 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 5–Feb 27 | 411 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 5 and again by Nov 12; both mature before Jan 20. | Nov 12 |
| Oregano | Nov 21 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 362 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 362 available after Feb 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 7 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 348 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 348 available after Feb 6. | — |
| Sage | Dec 5 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 362 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 362 available after Feb 6. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 21 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 362 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 362 available after Feb 6. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 369 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Nov 17; both mature before Jan 20. | Nov 17 |
| Cosmos | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 30. | Oct 17 |
| Lavender | Nov 7 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 369 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 369 available after Jan 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 19 | Jan 30–Feb 6 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 30. | Oct 27 |
| Melons | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 306 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 306 available after Feb 13. | Sep 8 |
| Mint | — | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 369 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 369 available after Jan 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 6 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Dec 30. | Oct 22 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 327 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 327 available after Feb 6. | Oct 12 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 313 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 13. | Sep 10 |
| Sunflowers | — | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 334 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 334 available after Jan 30. | Oct 7 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 5 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 313 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 6. | Sep 18 |
| Watermelon | Jan 16 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 313 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 6. | Sep 13 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Dec 30. | Oct 22 |
| Zinnias | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 30. | Oct 17 |
Month by month in Lakeland
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Jan 2), Corn (Jan 2), Cosmos (Jan 2), Nasturtiums (Jan 2), Okra (Jan 2), Zinnias (Jan 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jan 2), Turnip (Jan 2), Carrots (Jan 9), Garlic (Jan 13), Potatoes (Jan 16), Sunflowers (Jan 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 2), Cabbage (Jan 2), Collards (Jan 2), Kale (Jan 2), Lettuce (Jan 2), +12 more. Last frost around January 30. First frost around January 13. |
| February | Direct sow from: Beans (Feb 6), Pole Beans (Feb 6). Transplant from: Celery (Feb 6), Chives (Feb 6), Corn (Feb 6), Okra (Feb 6), Oregano (Feb 6), Parsley (Feb 6), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Feb 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 31), Pumpkin (Aug 31). |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Sep 8), Celery (Sep 8), Melons (Sep 8), Spaghetti Squash (Sep 10), Tomato (Sep 13), Watermelon (Sep 13), +4 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Oct 7), Brussel Sprouts (Oct 12), Pole Beans (Oct 12), Basil (Oct 17), Cosmos (Oct 17), Cucumber (Oct 17), +10 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 7), Lavender (Nov 7), Onion (Nov 7), Rosemary (Nov 7), Celery (Nov 21), Collards (Nov 21), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Peas (Nov 2), Cabbage (Nov 11), Carrots (Nov 11), Beets (Nov 12), Dill (Nov 12), Swiss Chard (Nov 12), +8 more. |
| December | Start indoors: Broccoli (Dec 5), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 5), Cabbage (Dec 5), Lettuce (Dec 5), Sage (Dec 5), Swiss Chard (Dec 5), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 5), Beets (Dec 5), Dill (Dec 5), Peas (Dec 5), Radish (Dec 5), Spinach (Dec 5), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Dec 26). Last sowing dates: Turnip (Dec 1), Arugula (Dec 11), Spinach (Dec 11), Radish (Dec 12). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Lakeland, FL (ZIP 33811)?
The median last spring frost date for Lakeland, FL (ZIP code 33811) is around January 30. 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 Lakeland, FL?
The median first fall frost date for Lakeland, FL is around January 13. 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 9 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Lakeland, FL?
The frost-free growing season in Lakeland is about 348 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 Lakeland (348 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 Lakeland, FL?
Lakeland, 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 Lakeland, FL?
Start tomatoes indoors Dec 26 and plant out Feb 13 in Lakeland. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Lakeland?
Two: plant Jan 2 and again by Nov 22; both mature before Jan 20.
When do I plant garlic in Lakeland?
Jan 13 to Feb 3; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Lakeland?
Yes: plant out Feb 13 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Sep 13 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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- When to plant in Lakeland, FL: month-by-month guide
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- When to plant Butternut Squash in FL
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