When to Plant in Tampa, FL

Tampa's subtropical climate means the traditional gardening calendar is flipped. The prime growing season for vegetables runs from fall through spring — roughly October through May. The rainy season from June through September limits vegetable production, though some heat-tolerant crops soldier on.

Tampa rarely sees frost — the average last frost is around late January, and most years see none at all. This means two tomato seasons are possible: a fall crop (planted August–September) and a spring crop (planted January–March), with winter as the absolute peak for cool-season vegetables.

What to plant now in Tampa

Fall: Plant fall tomatoes, peppers, squash, and beans. Start cool-season crops in October.
Winter: Peak season — all cool-season crops, plus tomatoes and peppers.
Spring: Second tomato and pepper window. Plant before summer heat arrives.
Summer: Focus on okra, Malabar spinach, southern peas, and tropical herbs.

In Tampa (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 Tampa

Month	What to do
January	Peak winter garden. Tomatoes and peppers thriving. Plant broccoli and lettuce.
February	Continue winter harvest. Start spring tomato transplants.
March	Continue warm-season planting. Heat starts building — get transplants in early.
April	Plant heat-lovers: okra, sweet potatoes, and southern peas.
May	Transition to heat-tolerant crops. Mulch heavily before rainy season.
June	Rainy season begins. Focus on okra, Malabar spinach, and herbs.
July	Maintain garden through heat. Start seeds for fall crops indoors.
August	Begin planting fall tomatoes and peppers for the winter season.
September	Plant fall crops: beans, cucumbers, squash. Rains tapering off.
October	Full fall planting: tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, lettuce, carrots.
November	Cool-season growing in full swing. Plant garlic and root vegetables.
December	Harvest cool-season crops. Ideal conditions for leafy greens.

Frost dates for Tampa ZIP codes

ZIP	Last spring frost (50%)	First fall frost (50%)	Zone
33647	February 3	January 21	9b

FAQ

When is the last frost date in Tampa, FL?

Tampa rarely gets frost — the average last frost date is around late January, but many years see no frost at all. The wet/dry season divide matters more than frost dates here.

What vegetables grow best in Tampa?

Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, squash, and all brassicas thrive in Tampa's fall and winter growing season. Summer is for okra, sweet potatoes, and heat-tolerant crops.

Can I grow tomatoes year-round in Tampa?

No — tomatoes need two distinct seasons: fall (plant Aug–Oct) and spring (plant Jan–Mar). Summer heat stops fruit set, and plants decline. You'll get the best harvests October through May.

When should I plant a fall garden in Tampa?

Start seeds for your fall garden in August, then transplant in September and October. This is actually Tampa's primary growing season.

How does Plan My Garden help Tampa gardeners?

Enter your Tampa zip code and we'll calculate your exact planting windows for all 35+ crops — accounting for Tampa's subtropical growing calendar.