Niceville, FL planting zone & frost dates
Niceville is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 12 and the first fall frost around November 19, for a growing season of about 253 days.
Planting calendar for Niceville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 12) 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 15 – Jan 29 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 Transplant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 Transplant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 Transplant outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 Transplant outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 24 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 19).
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 14 | Mar 12 | Mar 31 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 13 | Nov 19 | Nov 3 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 31, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 3. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 25.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Niceville
- 32578 zone 9a
- 32588 zone 9a
Nearby cities
- Destin zone 9b, last frost Feb 5
- Fort Walton Beach zone 9a, last frost Feb 5
- Wright zone 9a, last frost Mar 12
- Crestview zone 9a, last frost Mar 21
- Santa Rosa Beach zone 9a, last frost Feb 5
- Navarre zone 9a, last frost Mar 1
- Midway zone 9b, last frost Mar 1
- East Milton zone 9a, last frost Feb 28
Questions
What growing zone is Niceville, FL?
Niceville 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 Niceville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Niceville is March 12. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 31.
When can I plant tomatoes in Niceville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 19 – Mar 26. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Niceville, FL (USC00086240), 1.9 km (1.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 18 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.