When to Plant in Tallahassee, FL

Tallahassee is in Florida's Panhandle — geographically southern, but climatically much more like Georgia than Miami. Zone 8b means regular winter frosts with a last frost date around late February. Tallahassee has a genuine winter dormant period that distinguishes it from Central and South Florida.

This means Tallahassee gardeners get to enjoy true four-season gardening: a productive spring, hot summer, excellent fall season, and a mild winter garden with cool-season crops. The two-season tomato approach (spring and fall) works perfectly here.

What to plant now in Tallahassee

Fall & Winter (Sep–Feb): Cool-season crops shine — broccoli, kale, lettuce, spinach, carrots, and peas.
Spring: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers, and corn after late-February last frost.
Summer: Okra, sweet potatoes, and heat-tolerant crops. Most vegetables struggle in peak heat.
Year-round: Herbs, especially basil and rosemary.

In Tallahassee (251 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 Tallahassee

Month	What to do
January	Cool-season crops growing well. Harvest broccoli and greens. Start tomato seeds indoors late in the month.
February	Last frost late February. Begin warm-season planting at month end.
March	Plant spring tomatoes and peppers. Direct sow beans and squash.
April	Full spring garden in place. Warm season underway.
May	Last push for spring crops before summer heat.
June	Summer begins. Focus on okra, sweet potatoes, and herbs.
July	Maintain summer plantings. Plan fall garden.
August	Plant fall tomatoes and peppers. Start fall brassica seeds.
September	Fall planting begins: beans, cucumbers, squash.
October	Full fall planting: broccoli, kale, lettuce, carrots.
November	Cool-season garden in peak. Plant garlic.
December	Harvest fall crops. Protect from occasional frost.

Frost dates for Tallahassee ZIP codes

ZIP	Last spring frost (50%)	First fall frost (50%)	Zone
32304	March 11	November 17	9a
32301	March 11	November 17	9a

FAQ

When is the last frost date in Tallahassee, FL?

Tallahassee's average last frost date is around March 11. Unlike Central Florida, Tallahassee gets regular winter frosts, making it more similar to southern Georgia in its gardening approach.

How is Tallahassee different from other Florida cities?

Tallahassee is in the Florida Panhandle — it has a genuine winter dormant season with regular frosts, unlike the essentially frost-free Central and South Florida. This gives Tallahassee a four-season growing calendar.

What vegetables grow best in Tallahassee?

Cool-season crops thrive October–March: broccoli, kale, lettuce, spinach, and carrots. Spring (March–May) and fall (August–October) are excellent for tomatoes, peppers, squash, and beans.

When should I plant tomatoes in Tallahassee?

Plant spring tomatoes in March after the late-February last frost. Plant fall tomatoes in August for a November harvest.

How does Plan My Garden help Tallahassee gardeners?

Enter your Tallahassee zip code and we'll calculate your exact planting windows — tuned for the Panhandle's unique mix of Southern and Florida gardening conditions.