When to Plant Tomatoes in Florida

In Florida, the time to transplant tomatoes 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.

Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.

Tomatoes planting dates in Florida by city

CityZoneStart indoorsTransplant outside
Altamonte Springs10aNov 22 – Dec 6Jan 24 – Feb 7
Apopka9bDec 30 – Jan 13Mar 3 – Mar 17
Bonita Springs10bNov 22 – Dec 6Jan 24 – Feb 7
Boynton Beach10bNov 27 – Dec 11Jan 29 – Feb 12
Bradenton10aNov 21 – Dec 5Jan 23 – Feb 6
Cape Coral10bNov 21 – Dec 5Jan 23 – Feb 6
Clearwater10aNov 22 – Dec 6Jan 24 – Feb 7
Clermont9bDec 4 – Dec 18Feb 5 – Feb 19
Cutler Bay11aNov 23 – Dec 7Jan 25 – Feb 8
Daytona Beach9bDec 5 – Dec 19Feb 6 – Feb 20
Delray Beach11aNov 27 – Dec 11Jan 29 – Feb 12
Deltona9bDec 1 – Dec 15Feb 2 – Feb 16
Fort Myers10bNov 21 – Dec 5Jan 23 – Feb 6
Fort Pierce10aNov 27 – Dec 11Jan 29 – Feb 12
Gainesville9aJan 6 – Jan 20Mar 10 – Mar 24
Jacksonville9bDec 7 – Dec 21Feb 8 – Feb 22
Jupiter10bDec 1 – Dec 15Feb 2 – Feb 16
Kissimmee10aDec 3 – Dec 17Feb 4 – Feb 18
Lakeland9bDec 1 – Dec 15Feb 2 – Feb 16
Largo10aNov 22 – Dec 6Jan 24 – Feb 7
Melbourne10aNov 29 – Dec 13Jan 31 – Feb 14
North Port10aDec 7 – Dec 21Feb 8 – Feb 22
Ocala9aDec 31 – Jan 14Mar 4 – Mar 18
Ocoee10aDec 3 – Dec 17Feb 4 – Feb 18
Orlando10aNov 30 – Dec 14Feb 1 – Feb 15
Palm Bay10aDec 5 – Dec 19Feb 6 – Feb 20
Palm Beach Gardens10bNov 26 – Dec 10Jan 28 – Feb 11
Palm Coast9bNov 29 – Dec 13Jan 31 – Feb 14
Pensacola9aDec 20 – Jan 3Feb 21 – Mar 7
Pinellas Park10aNov 22 – Dec 6Jan 24 – Feb 7
Port Orange10aDec 5 – Dec 19Feb 6 – Feb 20
Sanford9bDec 1 – Dec 15Feb 2 – Feb 16
Sarasota10aNov 20 – Dec 4Jan 22 – Feb 5
St. Cloud10aDec 3 – Dec 17Feb 4 – Feb 18
St. Petersburg10bNov 22 – Dec 6Jan 24 – Feb 7
Tallahassee9aJan 14 – Jan 28Mar 18 – Apr 1
Tampa10aNov 25 – Dec 9Jan 27 – Feb 10
Titusville10aNov 30 – Dec 14Feb 1 – Feb 15
Winter Garden9bDec 3 – Dec 17Feb 4 – Feb 18
Winter Haven10aNov 20 – Dec 4Jan 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 tomatoes.

Getting beds ready? Work out how much raised bed soil, compost or mulch you need with our sister site, Yard Coverage.

Other crops in Florida

PeppersSweet CornOnionsPotatoesGarlic

Tomatoes in other states

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