Last frost date in Gainesville, FL

Average last frost
March 3

Expect the last frost in Gainesville around March 3. Frost after March 23 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 2, which leaves 277 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 12 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 23
Average first frost
Dec 2
Frost-free season
277 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Feb 12
Next 7 nights in Gainesville

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:24 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2251°
  2. FriOct 2359°
  3. SatOct 2464°
  4. SunOct 2563°
  5. MonOct 2658°
  6. TueOct 2758°
  7. WedOct 2860°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 3First frost Dec 2277 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND277 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Gainesville Regional Airport, 4.4 miles from Gainesville.

Planting calendar for Gainesville

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
TomatoesMar 10–Mar 24
PumpkinsMar 17–Mar 31
SunflowersMar 3–Mar 24
CucumbersMar 17–Mar 24
CornMar 10–Mar 24
Sweet potatoesMar 24–Apr 7
WatermelonMar 17–Mar 31
Green beansMar 10–Mar 31
ZucchiniMar 10–Mar 24
OkraMar 24–Apr 7
PeppersMar 17–Mar 31
BasilMar 10–Mar 24
Butternut squashMar 10–Mar 24
CantaloupeMar 17–Mar 31
EggplantMar 17–Mar 31
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 3–Feb 17
OnionsJan 20–Feb 10
CarrotsFeb 10–Mar 17
LettuceFeb 17–Mar 10
BroccoliFeb 3–Feb 17
BeetsFeb 3–Mar 17
PeasJan 20–Feb 3
CabbageFeb 3–Feb 17
RadishesJan 27–Mar 10
Brussels sproutsFeb 17–Mar 3
SpinachJan 20–Feb 10
CilantroFeb 17–Mar 10
KaleFeb 3–Feb 17
Collard greensFeb 3–Feb 17
TurnipsFeb 3–Feb 17
DillMar 3–Mar 17
CeleryMar 10–Mar 17
CauliflowerFeb 17–Mar 3
LeeksFeb 17–Mar 3
Swiss chardFeb 17–Mar 17
ParsleyFeb 17–Mar 10
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 3–Feb 17
AsparagusFeb 3–Feb 17

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FFeb 1Mar 3Mar 23Nov 12Dec 2Jan 1
Hard freeze, 28°FJan 9Feb 12Mar 14Nov 25Dec 25Jan 26

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 Gainesville Regional Airport (USW00012816) sits 4.4 miles from the center of Gainesville at 123 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 Gainesville, FL?

The average last frost date in Gainesville is March 3, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 23.

When is the first frost in Gainesville?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 2. One year in ten it arrives before November 12.

How long is the growing season in Gainesville?

About 277 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Gainesville?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 10 to March 24. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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