Last frost date in Cape Coral, FL

Average last frost
January 16

Expect the last frost in Cape Coral around January 16. Frost after February 2 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about January 13, which leaves 365 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 31 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Feb 2
Average first frost
Jan 13
Frost-free season
365 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
rare
Next 7 nights in Cape Coral

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2264°
  2. FriOct 2366°
  3. SatOct 2469°
  4. SunOct 2569°
  5. MonOct 2667°
  6. TueOct 2767°
  7. WedOct 2867°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 16First frost Jan 13365 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND365 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Fort Myers Page Field Airport, 9.3 miles from Cape Coral.

Planting calendar for Cape Coral

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Florida.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesFeb 15–Mar 1
PumpkinsFeb 15–Mar 1
SunflowersFeb 15–Mar 8
CucumbersFeb 22–Mar 1
CornFeb 15–Mar 1
Sweet potatoesFeb 15–Mar 1
WatermelonFeb 15–Mar 1
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 15–Mar 1
PeppersFeb 15–Mar 1
BasilFeb 15–Mar 1
Butternut squashFeb 15–Mar 1
CantaloupeFeb 15–Mar 1
EggplantFeb 15–Mar 1
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesDec 19–Jan 2
OnionsDec 5–Dec 26
CarrotsDec 26–Jan 30
LettuceJan 2–Jan 23
BroccoliDec 19–Jan 2
BeetsDec 19–Jan 30
PeasDec 5–Dec 19
CabbageDec 19–Jan 2
RadishesDec 12–Jan 23
Brussels sproutsJan 2–Jan 16
SpinachDec 5–Dec 26
CilantroJan 2–Jan 23
KaleDec 19–Jan 2
Collard greensDec 19–Jan 2
TurnipsDec 19–Jan 2
DillJan 16–Jan 30
CeleryJan 23–Jan 30
CauliflowerJan 2–Jan 16
LeeksJan 2–Jan 16
Swiss chardJan 2–Jan 30
ParsleyJan 2–Jan 23
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 19–Jan 2
AsparagusDec 19–Jan 2

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FJan 1Jan 16Feb 2Dec 31Jan 13Feb 2

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Fort Myers Page Field Airport (USW00012835) sits 9.3 miles from the center of Cape Coral at 15 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Cape Coral, FL?

The average last frost date in Cape Coral is January 16, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 2.

When is the first frost in Cape Coral?

The first frost in fall usually comes around January 13. One year in ten it arrives before December 31.

How long is the growing season in Cape Coral?

About 365 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Cape Coral?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from February 15 to March 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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