Last frost date in Lakeland, FL

Average last frost
January 26

The average last frost in Lakeland is January 26. By February 21 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about January 9, which leaves 349 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 20 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Feb 21
Average first frost
Jan 9
Frost-free season
349 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 17
Next 7 nights in Lakeland

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2259°
  2. FriOct 2362°
  3. SatOct 2467°
  4. SunOct 2566°
  5. MonOct 2663°
  6. TueOct 2763°
  7. WedOct 2864°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 26First frost Jan 9349 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND349 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Lakeland 2, 5.7 miles from Lakeland.

Planting calendar for Lakeland

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 16–Mar 2
WatermelonFeb 15–Mar 1
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 16–Mar 2
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 29–Jan 12
OnionsDec 15–Jan 5
CarrotsJan 5–Feb 9
LettuceJan 12–Feb 2
BroccoliDec 29–Jan 12
BeetsDec 29–Feb 9
PeasDec 15–Dec 29
CabbageDec 29–Jan 12
RadishesDec 22–Feb 2
Brussels sproutsJan 12–Jan 26
SpinachDec 15–Jan 5
CilantroJan 12–Feb 2
KaleDec 29–Jan 12
Collard greensDec 29–Jan 12
TurnipsDec 29–Jan 12
DillJan 26–Feb 9
CeleryFeb 2–Feb 9
CauliflowerJan 12–Jan 26
LeeksJan 12–Jan 26
Swiss chardJan 12–Feb 9
ParsleyJan 12–Feb 2
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 29–Jan 12
AsparagusDec 29–Jan 12

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FJan 2Jan 26Feb 21Dec 20Jan 9Feb 4
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 30Jan 17Feb 5Dec 28Jan 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 Lakeland 2 (USC00084802) sits 5.7 miles from the center of Lakeland at 139 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 Lakeland, FL?

The average last frost date in Lakeland is January 26, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 21.

When is the first frost in Lakeland?

The first frost in fall usually comes around January 9. One year in ten it arrives before December 20.

How long is the growing season in Lakeland?

About 349 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Lakeland?

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

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