Last frost date in Sarasota, FL

Average last frost
January 15

Expect the last frost in Sarasota around January 15. Frost after February 8 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about January 10, which leaves 365 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 24 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Feb 8
Average first frost
Jan 10
Frost-free season
365 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
rare
Next 7 nights in Sarasota

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2262°
  2. FriOct 2364°
  3. SatOct 2467°
  4. SunOct 2568°
  5. MonOct 2666°
  6. TueOct 2766°
  7. WedOct 2867°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 15First frost Jan 10365 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND365 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Sarasota Bradenton Airport, 4.5 miles from Sarasota.

Planting calendar for Sarasota

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 18–Jan 1
OnionsDec 4–Dec 25
CarrotsDec 25–Jan 29
LettuceJan 1–Jan 22
BroccoliDec 18–Jan 1
BeetsDec 18–Jan 29
PeasDec 4–Dec 18
CabbageDec 18–Jan 1
RadishesDec 11–Jan 22
Brussels sproutsJan 1–Jan 15
SpinachDec 4–Dec 25
CilantroJan 1–Jan 22
KaleDec 18–Jan 1
Collard greensDec 18–Jan 1
TurnipsDec 18–Jan 1
DillJan 15–Jan 29
CeleryJan 22–Jan 29
CauliflowerJan 1–Jan 15
LeeksJan 1–Jan 15
Swiss chardJan 1–Jan 29
ParsleyJan 1–Jan 22
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 18–Jan 1
AsparagusDec 18–Jan 1

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 29Jan 15Feb 8Dec 24Jan 10Feb 3

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 Sarasota Bradenton Airport (USW00012871) sits 4.5 miles from the center of Sarasota at 28 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 Sarasota, FL?

The average last frost date in Sarasota is January 15, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 8.

When is the first frost in Sarasota?

The first frost in fall usually comes around January 10. One year in ten it arrives before December 24.

How long is the growing season in Sarasota?

About 365 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Sarasota?

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

Nearby in Florida

All 206 cities in Florida