Frost Dates for Gainesville, FL
In Gainesville, FL, the average last spring frost is around Mar 3 and the average first fall frost around Dec 2, for a growing season of about 277 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Mar 23, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Gainesville Rgnl Airport, FL weather station, 4 miles away, elevation 123 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.
Frost probability by date
Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Mar 23 | Nov 12 |
| 20% | Mar 16 | Nov 18 |
| 30% | Mar 13 | Nov 24 |
| 40% | Mar 7 | Nov 28 |
| 50% | Mar 3 | Dec 2 |
| 60% | Feb 27 | Dec 6 |
| 70% | Feb 21 | Dec 12 |
| 80% | Feb 13 | Dec 21 |
| 90% | Feb 1 | Jan 1 |
Light frost vs. hard freeze
Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 17 | Nov 19 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 3 | Dec 2 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 12 | Dec 25 |
Planting calendar for Gainesville
Transplant Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Mar 17 – Mar 31
Transplant Mar 17 – Mar 31
Transplant Mar 10 – Mar 24
Sow or transplant Mar 10 – Mar 24
Sow or transplant Mar 10 – Mar 24
Sow or transplant Mar 17 – Mar 31
Sow or transplant Feb 3 – Feb 17
Fall sowing Oct 7 – Nov 4
Fall sowing Oct 7 – Oct 28
Fall sowing Sep 23 – Oct 7
Sow or transplant Feb 3 – Feb 17
Fall sowing Sep 23 – Oct 21
Transplant Feb 17 – Mar 3
Fall sowing Sep 9 – Sep 23
Transplant Feb 10 – Feb 24
Fall sowing Sep 9 – Sep 23
Fall sowing Sep 9 – Sep 23
Fall sowing Oct 21 – Nov 11
Fall sowing Sep 23 – Oct 7
Plant Feb 3 – Feb 17
Based on the average last frost (Mar 3) and first frost (Dec 2). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.