When to Plant in Orlando, FL

Orlando is slightly more inland than Tampa and receives the occasional light frost in December and January — typically one or two events per year. Otherwise it shares the classic Central Florida growing calendar where the fall and winter dry season is prime growing time.

The subtropical climate means two tomato seasons (fall and spring), year-round herb production, and summer heat that limits you to okra, sweet potatoes, and heat-tolerant crops. Afternoon thunderstorms from June through September bring both rain and plant disease pressure.

What to plant now in Orlando

Fall & Winter (Oct–Feb): Prime season — tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, squash, lettuce, broccoli, carrots.
Spring: Second tomato and pepper window before summer heat arrives.
Summer: Okra, sweet potatoes, southern peas, Malabar spinach, and tropical herbs.
Year-round: Herbs, tropical fruits, and edible landscaping plants.

In Orlando (0 frost-free days, a short season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

Month by month in Orlando

Month	What to do
January	Harvest tomatoes and cool-season crops. Watch for rare frost events. Plant broccoli and kale.
February	Start spring tomato and pepper transplants. Direct sow beans and cucumbers.
March	Full spring garden underway. Plant squash and corn.
April	Transition to heat-tolerant crops. Plant okra and sweet potatoes.
May	Summer garden in place. Mulch heavily. Watch for pest pressure.
June	Rainy season starts. Focus on heat-tolerant crops and herbs.
July	Maintain summer garden. Start fall tomato seeds indoors.
August	Plant fall tomatoes and peppers. Prepare beds for fall season.
September	Expand fall garden: beans, squash, cucumbers.
October	Full fall planting: lettuce, broccoli, carrots, radishes.
November	Cool-season crops growing fast. Plant garlic.
December	Harvest greens and root vegetables. Protect from occasional frost.

Frost dates for Orlando ZIP codes

ZIP	Last spring frost (50%)	First fall frost (50%)	Zone
32828	January 30	January 9	10a
32807	January 30	January 10	10a
32821	January 30	January 8	10a

FAQ

When is the last frost date in Orlando, FL?

Orlando's average last frost date is around January 26. Frost is possible in December and January, but hard freezes are rare.

What grows best in Orlando?

Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, squash, and all cool-season greens perform excellently in Orlando's fall and winter growing season. Summer is reserved for heat-tolerant crops.

When do I plant tomatoes in Orlando?

Plant fall tomatoes in August–September for a November–January harvest. Plant spring tomatoes in January–February for an April–May harvest. Avoid mid-summer.

How do I handle Orlando's summer heat?

Focus on okra, sweet potatoes, southern peas, and Malabar spinach in summer. Mulch heavily, water in the morning, and expect lower yields than the cool season.

How does Plan My Garden help Orlando gardeners?

Enter your Orlando zip code and we'll generate exact planting dates for all your crops — tuned to Central Florida's subtropical growing calendar.