In Gainesville, FL, the average last spring frost is Mar 3 and the average first fall frost is Dec 2, which leaves about 277 frost-free days for the garden. These dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Gainesville Rgnl Airport, FL weather station, at 123 feet above sea level.
A very long season allows two full rounds of vegetables. Plant cool-season crops early and again in fall, and plan warm-season crops so they finish before the hottest part of summer. Frost timing varies from year to year: in about 1 spring in 10 the last frost falls as late as Mar 23, and in about 1 fall in 10 the first frost arrives as early as Nov 12.
Frost dates for Gainesville, FL
| Chance of a freeze (32°F) after or before this date | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Freeze-free season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic (about 1 year in 10) | Feb 1 | Jan 1 | -31 days |
| Average (half of years) | Mar 3 | Dec 2 | 277 days |
| Cautious (9 years in 10 are safe) | Mar 23 | Nov 12 | 234 days |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020. Use the cautious dates for tender crops such as tomatoes and peppers.
When to plant in Gainesville, FL
These windows count weeks forward and back from the average frost dates above. They are planning guides: check the forecast before planting tender crops, and see our what to plant now tool for today's date.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors in spring | Plant in fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Jan 6 to Jan 20 | Mar 10 to Mar 17 | – |
| Peppers | Dec 23 to Jan 6 | Mar 17 to Mar 24 | – |
| Eggplant | Dec 23 to Jan 6 | Mar 17 to Mar 24 | – |
| Onions | Dec 23 to Jan 6 | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | – |
| Parsley | Dec 23 to Jan 6 | Mar 3 to Mar 10 | – |
| Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower | Jan 6 to Jan 20 | Feb 17 to Feb 24 | Sep 9 to Oct 7 |
| Basil | Jan 20 to Jan 20 | Mar 10 to Mar 17 | – |
| Peas | Sow outdoors | Jan 20 to Feb 3 | Sep 9 to Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors | Jan 20 to Feb 3 | Oct 7 to Nov 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors | Jan 20 to Feb 3 | Oct 7 to Nov 4 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | Oct 7 to Nov 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | Sep 9 to Oct 7 |
| Beets | Sow outdoors | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | Sep 9 to Oct 7 |
| Potatoes | Sow outdoors | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | – |
| Kale | Sow outdoors | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | Sep 9 to Oct 7 |
| Swiss chard | Sow outdoors | Feb 17 to Mar 3 | – |
| Cilantro | Sow outdoors | Feb 17 to Mar 3 | Oct 7 to Nov 4 |
| Dill | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 to Mar 10 | – |
| Bush beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 10 to Mar 17 | Aug 29 to Sep 12 |
| Pole beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 10 to Mar 17 | – |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 10 to Mar 17 | – |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 10 to Mar 17 | Aug 19 to Sep 2 |
| Zucchini and summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 10 to Mar 17 | Aug 29 to Sep 12 |
| Winter squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 10 to Mar 17 | – |
| Sweet potatoes (slips) | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 to Mar 31 | – |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 to Mar 31 | – |
A dash in the fall column means the crop is not usually planted in fall, or the season is too short.
Overnight lows this week
No frost is forecast in the next week, according to the National Weather Service.
| Night | Forecast low | Frost risk |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 15 night | 47°F | No frost expected |
| Mon 16 night | 53°F | No frost expected |
| Tue 17 night | 55°F | No frost expected |
| Wed 18 night | 58°F | No frost expected |
| Thu 19 night | 58°F | No frost expected |
| Fri 20 night | 57°F | No frost expected |
| Sat 21 night | 58°F | No frost expected |
Live forecast for the station location, from the National Weather Service. For your own ZIP code, use our garden weather forecast.
More garden tools for Gainesville, FL
- Frost dates by ZIP code for your exact location
- What to plant now, based on today's date
- Garden weather forecast by ZIP code
- Safe transplant date calculator
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Gainesville, FL?
The average last spring frost is Mar 3. A late frost as far out as Mar 23 happens in about 1 year in 10, so tender plants such as tomatoes and peppers are safest after that cautious date.
When is the first frost in Gainesville, FL?
The average first fall frost is Dec 2. It can arrive as early as Nov 12 in about 1 year in 10, so plan to harvest tender crops before then.
How long is the growing season in Gainesville, FL?
The average freeze-free season is about 277 days, between the average last spring frost and the average first fall frost.
Where do these dates come from?
They come from the NOAA 1991 to 2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the Gainesville Rgnl Airport, FL station. Hills, valleys, lakes and city heat can shift frost by a week or more, so compare with neighbors who garden near you.