Last frost date in Ocala, FL

Average last frost
February 25

Expect the last frost in Ocala around February 25. Frost after March 21 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 12, which leaves 293 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 21 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 21
Average first frost
Dec 12
Frost-free season
293 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Feb 4
Next 7 nights in Ocala

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2254°
  2. FriOct 2360°
  3. SatOct 2465°
  4. SunOct 2564°
  5. MonOct 2660°
  6. TueOct 2759°
  7. WedOct 2861°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Feb 25First frost Dec 12293 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND293 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Ocala, 4.5 miles from Ocala.

Planting calendar for Ocala

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 4–Mar 18
PumpkinsMar 11–Mar 25
SunflowersFeb 25–Mar 18
CucumbersMar 11–Mar 18
CornMar 4–Mar 18
Sweet potatoesMar 18–Apr 1
WatermelonMar 11–Mar 25
Green beansMar 4–Mar 25
ZucchiniMar 4–Mar 18
OkraMar 18–Apr 1
PeppersMar 11–Mar 25
BasilMar 4–Mar 18
Butternut squashMar 4–Mar 18
CantaloupeMar 11–Mar 25
EggplantMar 11–Mar 25
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesJan 28–Feb 11
OnionsJan 14–Feb 4
CarrotsFeb 4–Mar 11
LettuceFeb 11–Mar 4
BroccoliJan 28–Feb 11
BeetsJan 28–Mar 11
PeasJan 14–Jan 28
CabbageJan 28–Feb 11
RadishesJan 21–Mar 4
Brussels sproutsFeb 11–Feb 25
SpinachJan 14–Feb 4
CilantroFeb 11–Mar 4
KaleJan 28–Feb 11
Collard greensJan 28–Feb 11
TurnipsJan 28–Feb 11
DillFeb 25–Mar 11
CeleryMar 4–Mar 11
CauliflowerFeb 11–Feb 25
LeeksFeb 11–Feb 25
Swiss chardFeb 11–Mar 11
ParsleyFeb 11–Mar 4
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 28–Feb 11
AsparagusJan 28–Feb 11

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FJan 24Feb 25Mar 21Nov 21Dec 12Jan 14
Hard freeze, 28°FJan 2Feb 4Mar 7Dec 3Jan 3Feb 7

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 Ocala (USC00086414) sits 4.5 miles from the center of Ocala at 75 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 Ocala, FL?

The average last frost date in Ocala is February 25, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 21.

When is the first frost in Ocala?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 12. One year in ten it arrives before November 21.

How long is the growing season in Ocala?

About 293 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Ocala?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 4 to March 18. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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