Last frost date in Merritt Island, FL

Average last frost
January 24

Expect the last frost in Merritt Island around January 24. Frost after February 24 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about January 9, which leaves 359 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 20 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Feb 24
Average first frost
Jan 9
Frost-free season
359 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 15
Next 7 nights in Merritt Island

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2268°
  2. FriOct 2370°
  3. SatOct 2472°
  4. SunOct 2572°
  5. MonOct 2671°
  6. TueOct 2770°
  7. WedOct 2870°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 24First frost Jan 9359 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND359 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Melbourne Wfo, 13.6 miles from Merritt Island.

Planting calendar for Merritt Island

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 27–Jan 10
OnionsDec 13–Jan 3
CarrotsJan 3–Feb 7
LettuceJan 10–Jan 31
BroccoliDec 27–Jan 10
BeetsDec 27–Feb 7
PeasDec 13–Dec 27
CabbageDec 27–Jan 10
RadishesDec 20–Jan 31
Brussels sproutsJan 10–Jan 24
SpinachDec 13–Jan 3
CilantroJan 10–Jan 31
KaleDec 27–Jan 10
Collard greensDec 27–Jan 10
TurnipsDec 27–Jan 10
DillJan 24–Feb 7
CeleryJan 31–Feb 7
CauliflowerJan 10–Jan 24
LeeksJan 10–Jan 24
Swiss chardJan 10–Feb 7
ParsleyJan 10–Jan 31
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 27–Jan 10
AsparagusDec 27–Jan 10

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 29Jan 24Feb 24Dec 20Jan 9Feb 13
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 29Jan 15Feb 8Dec 24Jan 10Feb 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 Melbourne Wfo (USC00085612) sits 13.6 miles from the center of Merritt Island at 35 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 Merritt Island, FL?

The average last frost date in Merritt Island is January 24, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 24.

When is the first frost in Merritt Island?

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 Merritt Island?

About 359 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Merritt Island?

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

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