Avon Park, FL planting zone & frost dates
Avon Park is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around January 28 and the first fall frost around January 8, for a growing season of about 343 days.
Planting calendar for Avon Park
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (January 28) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Dec 3 – Dec 17 Transplant outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 17 – Dec 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 17 – Dec 31 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 17 – Dec 31 Transplant outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Nov 13 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Jan 8).
Useful for zone 9b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Dec 31 | Jan 28 | Feb 26 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Feb 10 | Jan 8 | Dec 12 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after February 26, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before December 12. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 14.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Avon Park
- 33825 zone 9b
- 33826 zone 9b
Nearby cities
- Sebring zone 9b, last frost Jan 28
- Lake Wales zone 9b, last frost Feb 4
- Bartow zone 10a, last frost Jan 24
- Eloise zone 10a
- Winter Haven zone 10a
- Highland City zone 10a, last frost Jan 24
- Haines City zone 10a
- Poinciana zone 10a, last frost Jan 28
Questions
What growing zone is Avon Park, FL?
Avon Park is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Avon Park?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Avon Park is January 28. There is still a 10% chance of frost until February 26.
When can I plant tomatoes in Avon Park?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 4 – Feb 11. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Avon Park 2 W, FL (USC00080369), 2.0 km (1.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 47 m, based on 25 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.