Frost Dates for Okeechobee, FL 34972

Okeechobee has 2 ZIP codes. The Okeechobee, FL frost page lists all of them with their dates.

Last spring frost January 5 · First fall frost January 31 · 26 frost-free days · USDA Zone 10a

ZIP 34972 has about 20,100 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Okeechobee.

Short season: 26 frost-free days.

Frost probability for 34972

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)February 21January 5—
Fall (first frost)December 21January 31—

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at OKEECHOBEE (36.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 26-day season in Okeechobee

In Okeechobee (26 frost-free days, a short season), 11 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 3 get two plantings, 4 need an indoor start, 1 need a faster variety, 36 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoDec 1Jan 19–Jan 260no-fit: Needs 80 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19.—
PepperNov 24Jan 19–Jan 260no-fit: Needs 75 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19.—
LettuceNov 10Dec 8–Dec 1561fits: 45 days to maturity, 61 available after Dec 8.Dec 10
Carrots—Dec 15–Dec 2268tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 68 days.—
CucumberDec 15Jan 19–Jan 260no-fit: Needs 60 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19.—
Beans—Jan 12–Jan 2612no-fit: Needs 60 days; Okeechobee has 12 after Jan 12.—
Peas—Nov 10–Jan 1989fits: 65 days to maturity, 89 available after Nov 10.Nov 20
ZucchiniDec 22Jan 19–Jan 260no-fit: Needs 55 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19.—
OnionOct 13Dec 8–Dec 2261no-fit: Needs 100 days; Okeechobee has 61 after Dec 8.—
Spinach—Nov 10–Dec 29103two-plantings: Plant Nov 10 and again by Dec 29; both mature before Feb 21.Dec 29
KaleOct 27Dec 8–Dec 2275fits: 55 days to maturity, 75 available after Dec 8.Dec 14
BroccoliNov 10Dec 8–Dec 2261head-start: Even planted out Dec 8, the outdoor season is about 19 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.—
CabbageNov 10Dec 8–Dec 2275fits: 70 days to maturity, 75 available after Dec 8.—
Radish—Nov 10–Feb 289two-plantings: Plant Nov 10 and again by Dec 30; both mature before Feb 7.Dec 30
Beets—Nov 10–Feb 289fits: 55 days to maturity, 89 available after Nov 10.Nov 30
Potatoes—Dec 22–Dec 2947no-fit: Needs 90 days; Okeechobee has 47 after Dec 22.—
Garlic—Jan 31131overwinter: Plant Jan 31 to Feb 21; harvest the following summer.Feb 21
Strawberry—Dec 1–Jan 2682perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 1; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornDec 8Jan 12–Jan 190no-fit: Needs 75 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 12.—
PumpkinDec 22Jan 19–Jan 190no-fit: Needs 100 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19.—
CauliflowerNov 24Dec 29–Jan 1240no-fit: Needs 75 days; Okeechobee has 40 after Dec 29.—
Swiss ChardNov 10Dec 22–Dec 2247head-start: Even planted out Dec 22, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.—
Arugula—Nov 10–Feb 2103two-plantings: Plant Nov 10 and again by Dec 29; both mature before Feb 21.Dec 29
Brussel SproutsNov 10Dec 8–Dec 2275no-fit: Needs 100 days; Okeechobee has 75 after Dec 8.—
Butternut SquashDec 22Jan 19–Jan 260no-fit: Needs 100 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19.—
EggplantNov 17Jan 19–Jan 260no-fit: Needs 70 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19.—
OkraDec 8Jan 12–Jan 195no-fit: Needs 55 days; Okeechobee has 5 after Jan 12.—
BasilDec 1Jan 26–Jan 260no-fit: Needs 60 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 26.—
Cilantro—Dec 8–Dec 2961fits: 50 days to maturity, 61 available after Dec 8.—
ParsleyOct 27Jan 12–Jan 1926no-fit: Needs 70 days; Okeechobee has 26 after Jan 12.—
CeleryOct 27Jan 12–Jan 2626no-fit: Needs 120 days; Okeechobee has 26 after Jan 12.—
ScallionsOct 27Dec 8–Dec 2275fits: 60 days to maturity, 75 available after Dec 8.Dec 9
Turnip—Dec 8–Dec 2275fits: 50 days to maturity, 75 available after Dec 8.Dec 19
Kohlrabi—Nov 24–Dec 889fits: 55 days to maturity, 89 available after Nov 24.Dec 14
Bok ChoyDec 8Dec 29–Jan 540head-start: Even planted out Dec 29, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.—
CollardsOct 27Dec 8–Dec 2275fits: 60 days to maturity, 75 available after Dec 8.Dec 9
CantaloupeDec 22Jan 19–Jan 260no-fit: Needs 85 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19.—
ChivesOct 13Jan 12–Jan 1940no-fit: Needs 90 days; Okeechobee has 40 after Jan 12.—
Dill—Nov 10–Feb 289fits: 55 days to maturity, 89 available after Nov 10.Nov 30
OreganoOct 27Jan 12–Jan 1940no-fit: Needs 80 days; Okeechobee has 40 after Jan 12.—
RosemaryOct 13Jan 12–Jan 1926no-fit: Needs 80 days; Okeechobee has 26 after Jan 12.—
SageNov 10Jan 12–Jan 1940no-fit: Needs 75 days; Okeechobee has 40 after Jan 12.—
ThymeOct 27Jan 12–Jan 1940no-fit: Needs 90 days; Okeechobee has 40 after Jan 12.—
CalendulaNov 24Dec 22–Jan 547head-start: Even planted out Dec 22, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.—
CosmosDec 8Jan 5–Jan 1912no-fit: Needs 60 days; Okeechobee has 12 after Jan 5.—
LavenderOct 13Jan 5–Jan 1947no-fit: Needs 90 days; Okeechobee has 47 after Jan 5.—
MarigoldsNov 24Jan 5–Jan 1212no-fit: Needs 50 days; Okeechobee has 12 after Jan 5.—
MelonsDec 22Jan 19–Jan 260no-fit: Needs 85 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19.—
Mint—Jan 5–Jan 1947no-fit: Needs 90 days; Okeechobee has 47 after Jan 5.—
NasturtiumsDec 8Jan 5–Jan 1212no-fit: Needs 55 days; Okeechobee has 12 after Jan 5.—
Pole Beans—Jan 12–Jan 265no-fit: Needs 65 days; Okeechobee has 5 after Jan 12.—
Spaghetti SquashDec 22Jan 19–Jan 260no-fit: Needs 90 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19.—
Sunflowers—Jan 5–Jan 1912no-fit: Needs 70 days; Okeechobee has 12 after Jan 5.—
TomatillosNov 10Jan 12–Jan 190no-fit: Needs 75 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 12.—
WatermelonDec 22Jan 12–Jan 190no-fit: Needs 80 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 12.—
Yellow SquashDec 22Jan 19–Jan 260no-fit: Needs 55 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19.—
ZinniasDec 8Jan 5–Jan 1912no-fit: Needs 60 days; Okeechobee has 12 after Jan 5.—

Month by month in Okeechobee

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryDirect sow from: Sunflowers (Jan 5), Beans (Jan 12), Pole Beans (Jan 12), Garlic (Jan 31). Transplant from: Cosmos (Jan 5), Lavender (Jan 5), Marigolds (Jan 5), Mint (Jan 5), Nasturtiums (Jan 5), Zinnias (Jan 5), +23 more. Last frost around January 5. First frost around January 31.
FebruaryLast sowing dates: Garlic (Feb 21).
MarchTransplant warm-season crops outdoors. Sow beans, cucumbers, and squash.
AprilMain warm-season planting window. Direct sow melons and sweet corn.
MaySuccession plant lettuce. Keep beds irrigated as temperatures climb.
JuneMonitor for heat stress. Harvest zucchini and cucumbers frequently.
JulyHarvest regularly to encourage continued production. Watch for pests.
AugustStart fall cool-season crops: broccoli, kale, beets, and carrots.
SeptemberPlant fall lettuce, spinach, arugula, and radishes.
OctoberStart indoors: Chives (Oct 13), Lavender (Oct 13), Onion (Oct 13), Rosemary (Oct 13), Celery (Oct 27), Collards (Oct 27), +5 more.
NovemberStart indoors: Broccoli (Nov 10), Brussel Sprouts (Nov 10), Cabbage (Nov 10), Lettuce (Nov 10), Sage (Nov 10), Swiss Chard (Nov 10), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Nov 10), Beets (Nov 10), Dill (Nov 10), Peas (Nov 10), Radish (Nov 10), Spinach (Nov 10), +1 more. Last sowing dates: Peas (Nov 20), Beets (Nov 30), Dill (Nov 30).
DecemberStart indoors: Basil (Dec 1), Tomato (Dec 1), Bok Choy (Dec 8), Corn (Dec 8), Cosmos (Dec 8), Nasturtiums (Dec 8), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Dec 8), Turnip (Dec 8), Carrots (Dec 15), Potatoes (Dec 22). Transplant from: Broccoli (Dec 8), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 8), Cabbage (Dec 8), Collards (Dec 8), Kale (Dec 8), Lettuce (Dec 8), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Dec 1). Last sowing dates: Collards (Dec 9), Scallions (Dec 9), Lettuce (Dec 10), Kale (Dec 14), Kohlrabi (Dec 14), Turnip (Dec 19), +3 more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last frost date for Okeechobee, FL (ZIP 34972)?

The median last spring frost date for Okeechobee, FL (ZIP code 34972) is around January 5. 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 Okeechobee, FL?

The median first fall frost date for Okeechobee, FL is around January 31. 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 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Okeechobee, FL?

The frost-free growing season in Okeechobee is about 26 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 Okeechobee (26 frost-free days, a short season), 11 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 3 get two plantings, 4 need an indoor start, 1 need a faster variety, 36 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.

What USDA hardiness zone is Okeechobee, FL?

Okeechobee, FL is in USDA hardiness zone 10a (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 Okeechobee, FL?

Start tomatoes indoors Dec 1 and plant out Jan 19 in Okeechobee. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Okeechobee?

One spring planting around Dec 8. The last sow date is Dec 10.

When do I plant garlic in Okeechobee?

Jan 31 to Feb 21; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Can I grow Celery in Okeechobee?

Not reliably outdoors. Needs 120 days; Okeechobee has 26 after Jan 12.

Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?

Sebring (ZIP 33870) has 335 frost-free days, 309 more than Okeechobee (ZIP 34972). See Sebring ZIP 33870 frost dates

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