Frost Dates for Okeechobee, FL 34974
Last spring frost January 5 · First fall frost January 7 · 2 frost-free days · USDA Zone 10a
ZIP 34974 has about 24,000 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Okeechobee.
Short season: 2 frost-free days.
Frost probability for 34974
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | February 17 | January 5 | — |
| Fall (first frost) | December 21 | January 7 | — |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at OKEECHOBEE (4.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Okeechobee, FL
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34974 | January 5 | January 7 | 10a |
| 34972 | January 5 | January 31 | 10a |
Which crops fit a 2-day season in Okeechobee
In Okeechobee (2 frost-free days, a short season), 7 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 1 get two plantings, 5 need an indoor start, 1 need a faster variety, 41 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Dec 1 | Jan 19–Jan 26 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19. | — |
| Pepper | Nov 24 | Jan 19–Jan 26 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19. | — |
| Lettuce | Nov 10 | Dec 8–Dec 15 | 37 | head-start: Even planted out Dec 8, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Carrots | — | Dec 15–Dec 22 | 44 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; Okeechobee has 44 after Dec 15. | — |
| Cucumber | Dec 15 | Jan 19–Jan 26 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19. | — |
| Beans | — | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 12. | — |
| Peas | — | Nov 10–Jan 19 | 65 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 65 available after Nov 10. | — |
| Zucchini | Dec 22 | Jan 19–Jan 26 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 55 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19. | — |
| Onion | Oct 13 | Dec 8–Dec 22 | 37 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Okeechobee has 37 after Dec 8. | — |
| Spinach | — | Nov 10–Dec 29 | 79 | fits: 40 days to maturity, 79 available after Nov 10. | Dec 5 |
| Kale | Oct 27 | Dec 8–Dec 22 | 51 | head-start: Even planted out Dec 8, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Broccoli | Nov 10 | Dec 8–Dec 22 | 37 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Okeechobee has 37 after Dec 8. | — |
| Cabbage | Nov 10 | Dec 8–Dec 22 | 51 | head-start: Even planted out Dec 8, the outdoor season is about 19 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Radish | — | Nov 10–Feb 2 | 65 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 10 and again by Dec 6; both mature before Jan 14. | Dec 6 |
| Beets | — | Nov 10–Feb 2 | 65 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 65 available after Nov 10. | — |
| Potatoes | — | Dec 22–Dec 29 | 23 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Okeechobee has 23 after Dec 22. | — |
| Garlic | — | Jan 7 | 107 | overwinter: Plant Jan 7 to Jan 28; harvest the following summer. | Jan 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Dec 1–Jan 26 | 58 | perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 1; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Dec 8 | Jan 12–Jan 19 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 12. | — |
| Pumpkin | Dec 22 | Jan 19–Jan 19 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19. | — |
| Cauliflower | Nov 24 | Dec 29–Jan 12 | 16 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Okeechobee has 16 after Dec 29. | — |
| Swiss Chard | Nov 10 | Dec 22–Dec 22 | 23 | no-fit: Needs 55 days; Okeechobee has 23 after Dec 22. | — |
| Arugula | — | Nov 10–Feb 2 | 79 | fits: 40 days to maturity, 79 available after Nov 10. | Dec 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Nov 10 | Dec 8–Dec 22 | 51 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Okeechobee has 51 after Dec 8. | — |
| Butternut Squash | Dec 22 | Jan 19–Jan 26 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19. | — |
| Eggplant | Nov 17 | Jan 19–Jan 26 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19. | — |
| Okra | Dec 8 | Jan 12–Jan 19 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 55 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 12. | — |
| Basil | Dec 1 | Jan 26–Jan 26 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 26. | — |
| Cilantro | — | Dec 8–Dec 29 | 37 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 37 days. | — |
| Parsley | Oct 27 | Jan 12–Jan 19 | 2 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; Okeechobee has 2 after Jan 12. | — |
| Celery | Oct 27 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 2 | no-fit: Needs 120 days; Okeechobee has 2 after Jan 12. | — |
| Scallions | Oct 27 | Dec 8–Dec 22 | 51 | head-start: Even planted out Dec 8, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Turnip | — | Dec 8–Dec 22 | 51 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 51 available after Dec 8. | — |
| Kohlrabi | — | Nov 24–Dec 8 | 65 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 65 available after Nov 24. | — |
| Bok Choy | Dec 8 | Dec 29–Jan 5 | 16 | no-fit: Needs 45 days; Okeechobee has 16 after Dec 29. | — |
| Collards | Oct 27 | Dec 8–Dec 22 | 51 | head-start: Even planted out Dec 8, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cantaloupe | Dec 22 | Jan 19–Jan 26 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19. | — |
| Chives | Oct 13 | Jan 12–Jan 19 | 16 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Okeechobee has 16 after Jan 12. | — |
| Dill | — | Nov 10–Feb 2 | 65 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 65 available after Nov 10. | — |
| Oregano | Oct 27 | Jan 12–Jan 19 | 16 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Okeechobee has 16 after Jan 12. | — |
| Rosemary | Oct 13 | Jan 12–Jan 19 | 2 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Okeechobee has 2 after Jan 12. | — |
| Sage | Nov 10 | Jan 12–Jan 19 | 16 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Okeechobee has 16 after Jan 12. | — |
| Thyme | Oct 27 | Jan 12–Jan 19 | 16 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Okeechobee has 16 after Jan 12. | — |
| Calendula | Nov 24 | Dec 22–Jan 5 | 23 | no-fit: Needs 50 days; Okeechobee has 23 after Dec 22. | — |
| Cosmos | Dec 8 | Jan 5–Jan 19 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 5. | — |
| Lavender | Oct 13 | Jan 5–Jan 19 | 23 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Okeechobee has 23 after Jan 5. | — |
| Marigolds | Nov 24 | Jan 5–Jan 12 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 50 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 5. | — |
| Melons | Dec 22 | Jan 19–Jan 26 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19. | — |
| Mint | — | Jan 5–Jan 19 | 23 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Okeechobee has 23 after Jan 5. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Dec 8 | Jan 5–Jan 12 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 55 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 5. | — |
| Pole Beans | — | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 65 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 12. | — |
| Spaghetti Squash | Dec 22 | Jan 19–Jan 26 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jan 5–Jan 19 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 5. | — |
| Tomatillos | Nov 10 | Jan 12–Jan 19 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 12. | — |
| Watermelon | Dec 22 | Jan 12–Jan 19 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 12. | — |
| Yellow Squash | Dec 22 | Jan 19–Jan 26 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 55 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 19. | — |
| Zinnias | Dec 8 | Jan 5–Jan 19 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; Okeechobee has 0 after Jan 5. | — |
Month by month in Okeechobee
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Jan 5), Garlic (Jan 7), Beans (Jan 12), Pole Beans (Jan 12). 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 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Jan 28). |
| February | Direct sow brassicas and root vegetables. Start warm-season seedlings indoors. |
| 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 | Start fall cool-season crops: broccoli, kale, beets, and carrots. |
| September | Plant fall lettuce, spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| October | Start indoors: Chives (Oct 13), Lavender (Oct 13), Onion (Oct 13), Rosemary (Oct 13), Celery (Oct 27), Collards (Oct 27), +5 more. |
| November | Start 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. |
| December | Start 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: Arugula (Dec 5), Spinach (Dec 5), Radish (Dec 6). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Okeechobee, FL (ZIP 34974)?
The median last spring frost date for Okeechobee, FL (ZIP code 34974) 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 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 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 2 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 (2 frost-free days, a short season), 7 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 1 get two plantings, 5 need an indoor start, 1 need a faster variety, 41 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.
When do I plant garlic in Okeechobee?
Jan 7 to Jan 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Okeechobee?
Not reliably outdoors. Needs 120 days; Okeechobee has 2 after Jan 12.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Lake Placid (ZIP 33852) has 336 frost-free days, 334 more than Okeechobee (ZIP 34974). See Lake Placid ZIP 33852 frost dates
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