Last frost date in Estero, FL

Average last frost
January 17

Expect the last frost in Estero around January 17. Frost after February 6 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about January 16, which leaves 365 frost-free days. An early freeze before January 4 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Feb 6
Average first frost
Jan 16
Frost-free season
365 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
rare
Next 7 nights in Estero

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2265°
  2. FriOct 2367°
  3. SatOct 2469°
  4. SunOct 2569°
  5. MonOct 2668°
  6. TueOct 2767°
  7. WedOct 2868°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 17First frost Jan 16365 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 SW Fl Regional Airport, 8.1 miles from Estero.

Planting calendar for Estero

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 20–Jan 3
OnionsDec 6–Dec 27
CarrotsDec 27–Jan 31
LettuceJan 3–Jan 24
BroccoliDec 20–Jan 3
BeetsDec 20–Jan 31
PeasDec 6–Dec 20
CabbageDec 20–Jan 3
RadishesDec 13–Jan 24
Brussels sproutsJan 3–Jan 17
SpinachDec 6–Dec 27
CilantroJan 3–Jan 24
KaleDec 20–Jan 3
Collard greensDec 20–Jan 3
TurnipsDec 20–Jan 3
DillJan 17–Jan 31
CeleryJan 24–Jan 31
CauliflowerJan 3–Jan 17
LeeksJan 3–Jan 17
Swiss chardJan 3–Jan 31
ParsleyJan 3–Jan 24
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 20–Jan 3
AsparagusDec 20–Jan 3

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FJan 6Jan 17Feb 6Jan 4Jan 16Feb 5

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 SW Fl Regional Airport (USW00012894) sits 8.1 miles from the center of Estero at 31 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 Estero, FL?

The average last frost date in Estero is January 17, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 6.

When is the first frost in Estero?

The first frost in fall usually comes around January 16. One year in ten it arrives before January 4.

How long is the growing season in Estero?

About 365 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Estero?

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

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