When to Plant Sweet Corn in Florida
In Florida, the time to sow sweet corn outside runs from Jan 22 – Feb 5 in Winter Haven to Mar 18 – Apr 1 in Tallahassee. In Jacksonville, it's Feb 8 – Feb 22. The average last spring frost differs by about 8 weeks across the state (Jan 15 in Winter Haven, Mar 11 in Tallahassee), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Sow corn in blocks rather than single rows so it pollinates well. Wait for soil around 60°F.
- Sow outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Sweet Corn planting dates in Florida by city
| City | Zone | Sow outside |
|---|---|---|
| Altamonte Springs | 10a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Apopka | 9b | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Bonita Springs | 10b | Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Boynton Beach | 10b | Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Bradenton | 10a | Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Cape Coral | 10b | Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Clearwater | 10a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Clermont | 9b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Cutler Bay | 11a | Jan 25 – Feb 8 |
| Daytona Beach | 9b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Delray Beach | 11a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Deltona | 9b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 |
| Fort Myers | 10b | Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Fort Pierce | 10a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Gainesville | 9a | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Jacksonville | 9b | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Jupiter | 10b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 |
| Kissimmee | 10a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Lakeland | 9b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 |
| Largo | 10a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Melbourne | 10a | Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| North Port | 10a | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Ocala | 9a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Ocoee | 10a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Orlando | 10a | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Palm Bay | 10a | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Palm Beach Gardens | 10b | Jan 28 – Feb 11 |
| Palm Coast | 9b | Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Pensacola | 9a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Pinellas Park | 10a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Port Orange | 10a | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Sanford | 9b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 |
| Sarasota | 10a | Jan 22 – Feb 5 |
| St. Cloud | 10a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| St. Petersburg | 10b | Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Tallahassee | 9a | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Tampa | 10a | Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Titusville | 10a | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Winter Garden | 9b | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Winter Haven | 10a | Jan 22 – Feb 5 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
Parts of Florida rarely see frost (for example Miami, Port St. Lucie, Hialeah). There, planting is timed by heat rather than frost, usually in the cooler months; look up your ZIP code for details.
See all frost dates in Florida, or the general guide to when to plant sweet corn.
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