Last frost date in Fort Walton Beach, FL

Average last frost
February 5

In Fort Walton Beach, the last spring frost comes around February 5 in an average year. Wait until March 4 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 28, which leaves 321 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 1 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 4
Average first frost
Dec 28
Frost-free season
321 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 27
Next 7 nights in Fort Walton Beach

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2255°
  2. FriOct 2353°
  3. SatOct 2456°
  4. SunOct 2556°
  5. MonOct 2655°
  6. TueOct 2755°
  7. WedOct 2855°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Feb 5First frost Dec 28321 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND321 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Destin Fort Walton Airport, 9.1 miles from Fort Walton Beach.

Planting calendar for Fort Walton Beach

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 19–Mar 5
SunflowersFeb 15–Mar 8
CucumbersFeb 22–Mar 1
CornFeb 15–Mar 1
Sweet potatoesFeb 26–Mar 12
WatermelonFeb 19–Mar 5
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 26–Mar 12
PeppersFeb 19–Mar 5
BasilFeb 15–Mar 1
Butternut squashFeb 15–Mar 1
CantaloupeFeb 19–Mar 5
EggplantFeb 19–Mar 5
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesJan 8–Jan 22
OnionsDec 25–Jan 15
CarrotsJan 15–Feb 19
LettuceJan 22–Feb 12
BroccoliJan 8–Jan 22
BeetsJan 8–Feb 19
PeasDec 25–Jan 8
CabbageJan 8–Jan 22
RadishesJan 1–Feb 12
Brussels sproutsJan 22–Feb 5
SpinachDec 25–Jan 15
CilantroJan 22–Feb 12
KaleJan 8–Jan 22
Collard greensJan 8–Jan 22
TurnipsJan 8–Jan 22
DillFeb 5–Feb 19
CeleryFeb 12–Feb 19
CauliflowerJan 22–Feb 5
LeeksJan 22–Feb 5
Swiss chardJan 22–Feb 19
ParsleyJan 22–Feb 12
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 8–Jan 22
AsparagusJan 8–Jan 22

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FJan 5Feb 5Mar 4Dec 1Dec 28Jan 27
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 27Jan 27Feb 25Dec 12Jan 7Feb 6

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 Destin Fort Walton Airport (USW00053853) sits 9.1 miles from the center of Fort Walton Beach at 22 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 Fort Walton Beach, FL?

The average last frost date in Fort Walton Beach is February 5, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 4.

When is the first frost in Fort Walton Beach?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 28. One year in ten it arrives before December 1.

How long is the growing season in Fort Walton Beach?

About 321 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Fort Walton Beach?

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

Nearby in Florida

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