Gainesville, FL planting zone & frost dates
Gainesville is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 3 and the first fall frost around December 2, for a growing season of about 277 days.
Planting calendar for Gainesville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 3) 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: Jan 6 – Jan 20 Transplant outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 Transplant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 Transplant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 Transplant outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 Transplant outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 7 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 2).
Useful for zone 9a 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 | Feb 1 | Mar 3 | Mar 23 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 1 | Dec 2 | Nov 12 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 23, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 12. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 12.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Gainesville
- 32601 zone 9a
- 32602 zone 9a
- 32603 zone 9a
- 32604 zone 9a
- 32605 zone 9a
- 32606 zone 9a
- 32607 zone 9a
- 32608 zone 9a
- 32609 zone 9a
- 32610 zone 9a
- 32612 zone 9a
- 32614 zone 9a
- 32627 zone 9a
- 32635 zone 9a
- 32641 zone 9a
- 32653 zone 9a
Nearby cities
- Ocala zone 9a, last frost Feb 25
- Silver Springs zone 9a, last frost Feb 25
- On Top of the World zone 9a, last frost Feb 25
- Lake City zone 9a, last frost Mar 1
- Middleburg zone 9a, last frost Feb 1
- Marion Oaks zone 9b, last frost Feb 25
- Palatka zone 9b, last frost Jan 31
- Oakleaf Plantation zone 9a, last frost Feb 1
Questions
What growing zone is Gainesville, FL?
Gainesville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a (average extreme winter low 20°F to 25°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Gainesville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Gainesville is March 3. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 23.
When can I plant tomatoes in Gainesville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 10 – Mar 17. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Gainesville Rgnl Ap, FL (USW00012816), 6.5 km (4.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 38 m, based on 27 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.