When to Plant in Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville sits in North Florida — the most temperate part of the state — where you actually get a light frost a few times each winter. Zone 9a means last frost dates around mid-February, and the growing season runs from late February through November with a summer slowdown.

Unlike Central and South Florida, Jacksonville gardeners can grow cool-season crops in a genuine winter garden from October through February, then transition to warm-season crops in spring. Summer heat and humidity are intense, but the fall growing season from August through November is outstanding.

This month in Jacksonville: November 2026

Jacksonville's first frost usually doesn't come until around December 24, and close to the river and the beaches many years it never does. November is still prime planting time.

Sow lettuce, spinach, carrots, radishes, beets, and turnips directly, and set out broccoli, cabbage, kale, and collard transplants if you have room. Anything planted this month will be picking through the winter.

The heat is gone and the dry season is starting, so watch the watering; a week without rain dries out new seedbeds fast. Keep a sheet handy just in case an early cold front drops down from the north.

Updated November 3, 2026

What to plant now in Jacksonville

Fall & Winter (Oct–Feb): Excellent cool-season window — broccoli, kale, lettuce, spinach, carrots, radishes, and beets.
Spring: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers after last frost in mid-February.
Summer: Okra, sweet potatoes, and heat-tolerant crops only. Most vegetables struggle.
Year-round: Herbs, especially heat-tolerant varieties like basil and rosemary.

In Jacksonville (315 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

Month by month in Jacksonville

Month	What to do
January	Peak cool-season growing. Harvest broccoli, kale, and lettuce. Plant carrots and beets.
February	Last frost around mid-February. Begin transitioning to warm-season crops late in the month.
March	Plant spring tomatoes and peppers. Full warm-season planting underway.
April	Continue warm-season garden. Heat starts building.
May	Last chance for spring crops before summer heat peaks.
June	Focus on okra, Malabar spinach, and heat-tolerant herbs.
July	Maintain summer garden. Start planning fall crops.
August	Plant fall tomatoes and peppers. Start seeds for fall brassicas.
September	Plant fall crops: beans, cucumbers, squash.
October	Full fall planting: lettuce, broccoli, kale, carrots, spinach.
November	Cool-season crops growing fast. Plant garlic.
December	Harvest cool-season crops. Ideal conditions for leafy greens.

Frost dates for Jacksonville ZIP codes

ZIP	Last spring frost (50%)	First fall frost (50%)	Zone
32218	February 12	December 24	9b
32246	February 12	December 24	9b
32256	February 8	December 31	9b
32209	February 12	December 24	9b
32254	February 12	December 24	9b

FAQ

When is the last frost date in Jacksonville, FL?

Jacksonville's average last frost date is around February 12. Unlike Central and South Florida, Jacksonville does get regular light frosts in December and January.

What vegetables grow best in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville's best growing seasons are fall through spring. Cool-season crops like broccoli, kale, and lettuce excel in winter. Tomatoes, peppers, and squash do well in spring (Feb–May) and fall (Aug–Oct).

When should I plant tomatoes in Jacksonville?

Plant spring tomatoes in February–March after the last frost. Plant fall tomatoes in August for a November–December harvest. Avoid planting in May–July when summer heat stops fruit set.

Is Jacksonville good for fall gardening?

Fall is actually one of Jacksonville's best growing seasons. Plant broccoli, kale, lettuce, carrots, and spinach in September–October for harvests through January.

How does Plan My Garden help Jacksonville gardeners?

Enter your Jacksonville zip code and we'll calculate your exact planting windows, accounting for North Florida's unique growing calendar with its true winter cool-season growing season.