Last frost date in Tampa, FL

Average last frost
January 20

The average last frost in Tampa is January 20. By February 10 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about January 12, which leaves 365 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 23 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Feb 10
Average first frost
Jan 12
Frost-free season
365 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
rare
Next 7 nights in Tampa

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2261°
  2. FriOct 2363°
  3. SatOct 2467°
  4. SunOct 2566°
  5. MonOct 2664°
  6. TueOct 2764°
  7. WedOct 2865°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 20First frost Jan 12365 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND365 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Tampa International Airport, 3.7 miles from Tampa.

Planting calendar for Tampa

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 23–Jan 6
OnionsDec 9–Dec 30
CarrotsDec 30–Feb 3
LettuceJan 6–Jan 27
BroccoliDec 23–Jan 6
BeetsDec 23–Feb 3
PeasDec 9–Dec 23
CabbageDec 23–Jan 6
RadishesDec 16–Jan 27
Brussels sproutsJan 6–Jan 20
SpinachDec 9–Dec 30
CilantroJan 6–Jan 27
KaleDec 23–Jan 6
Collard greensDec 23–Jan 6
TurnipsDec 23–Jan 6
DillJan 20–Feb 3
CeleryJan 27–Feb 3
CauliflowerJan 6–Jan 20
LeeksJan 6–Jan 20
Swiss chardJan 6–Feb 3
ParsleyJan 6–Jan 27
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 23–Jan 6
AsparagusDec 23–Jan 6

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 27Jan 20Feb 10Dec 23Jan 12Feb 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 Tampa International Airport (USW00012842) sits 3.7 miles from the center of Tampa at 19 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 Tampa, FL?

The average last frost date in Tampa is January 20, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 10.

When is the first frost in Tampa?

The first frost in fall usually comes around January 12. One year in ten it arrives before December 23.

How long is the growing season in Tampa?

About 365 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Tampa?

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

Nearby in Florida

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