Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Fish Hawk, FL

The average first fall frost in Fish Hawk, FL is January 6, and the average last spring frost is January 30, giving a growing season of about 335 days.

Plan your garden around Fish Hawk, FL's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.

Last Spring Frost

January 30

Safe Mar 2 Typical Jan 30 Risky Dec 31

First Fall Frost

January 6

Safe Dec 8 Typical Jan 6 Risky Feb 5

Growing Season

335 days

Typical last frost to typical first frost.

USDA Hardiness Zone

Zone 9b

Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.

Data: NOAA station PLANT CITY, FL US, 20.2 km away.

— days until the typical last spring frost

How Fish Hawk Compares

Fish Hawk's typical last spring frost (Jan 30) comes later than in 68% of the 248 Florida cities we track.
Its 335-day growing season is 20 days shorter than the Florida median of 355 days.
Fish Hawk shares its NOAA weather station with Bloomingdale (6 km away), so their typical frost dates are the same.
July is the warmest month (average high 94°F) and January the coldest (average low 50°F).

Monthly Temperatures

Avg. high Avg. temp Avg. low

Planting Calendar

Vegetables
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Tomato	Dec 5 – Dec 19	—	Feb 6 – Feb 13	—	60–85 days	Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Pepper	Nov 21 – Dec 5	—	Feb 6 – Feb 20	—	60–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.
Eggplant	Nov 21 – Dec 5	—	Feb 13 – Feb 20	—	65–85 days	Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Cucumber	Jan 2 – Jan 9	Feb 6 – Feb 13	Feb 6 – Feb 13	—	50–65 days	Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm.
Zucchini	Jan 9 – Jan 16	Feb 6 – Feb 20	Feb 6 – Feb 13	—	45–55 days	Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.
Winter Squash	Jan 2 – Jan 9	Feb 6 – Feb 20	Feb 6 – Feb 13	—	80–110 days	Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.
Pumpkin	—	Feb 6 – Feb 20	—	—	90–120 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it.
Watermelon	Jan 2 – Jan 9	—	Feb 13 – Feb 20	—	70–90 days	Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Cantaloupe	Jan 2 – Jan 9	—	Feb 13 – Feb 20	—	70–90 days	Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Corn	—	Jan 30 – Feb 13	—	—	60–100 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks.
Green Bean	—	Jan 30 – Feb 13	—	—	50–65 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush.
Pea	—	Dec 19 – Jan 2	—	—	55–70 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Lettuce	—	Jan 2 – Jan 16	—	Nov 11 – Nov 25	45–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.
Spinach	—	Dec 19 – Jan 2	—	Nov 11 – Nov 25	40–50 days	Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Kale	—	Jan 2 – Jan 16	—	Oct 28 – Nov 11	50–65 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants.
Arugula	—	Jan 2 – Jan 16	—	Nov 25 – Dec 2	30–40 days	Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks.
Swiss Chard	—	Jan 9 – Jan 23	—	—	50–60 days	Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Broccoli	Dec 12 – Dec 26	—	Jan 9 – Jan 16	Nov 4 – Nov 11	55–80 days	Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).
Cauliflower	Dec 12 – Dec 26	—	Jan 16 – Jan 23	Oct 28 – Nov 4	55–85 days	Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost.
Cabbage	Dec 12 – Dec 26	—	Jan 2 – Jan 16	Oct 28 – Nov 11	60–100 days	Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Brussels Sprouts	Dec 12 – Dec 26	—	Jan 9 – Jan 23	—	90–110 days	Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost.
Carrot	—	Jan 2 – Jan 16	—	Oct 14 – Oct 28	60–80 days	Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Beet	—	Jan 2 – Jan 16	—	Oct 28 – Nov 11	50–65 days	Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost.
Radish	—	Dec 26 – Jan 9	—	Nov 25 – Dec 9	22–30 days	Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Turnip	—	Jan 2 – Jan 16	—	Oct 28 – Nov 11	40–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Onion	Nov 21 – Dec 5	—	Jan 2 – Jan 16	—	90–120 days	Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.
Garlic	—	—	—	Dec 9 – Dec 23	240–270 days	Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.
Potato	—	Jan 2 – Jan 16	—	—	70–120 days	Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated.
Sweet Potato	—	—	Feb 13 – Feb 27	—	90–120 days	Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive.
Asparagus	—	—	Jan 2 – Jan 16	—	730–1095 days	Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production.

Herbs
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Basil	Dec 19 – Dec 26	—	Feb 6 – Feb 13	—	50–70 days	Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.
Cilantro	—	Jan 9 – Jan 23	—	Nov 11 – Nov 25	45–70 days	Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring.
Parsley	Dec 5 – Dec 19	—	Jan 16 – Jan 23	—	70–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant).
Dill	—	Jan 9 – Jan 23	—	—	40–60 days	Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer.
Oregano	Dec 5 – Dec 19	—	Jan 30 – Feb 6	—	80–90 days	Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date.
Thyme	Dec 5 – Dec 19	—	Jan 30 – Feb 6	—	85–95 days	Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.

Flowers
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Sunflower	—	Feb 6 – Feb 20	—	—	70–100 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting.
Zinnia	Jan 2 – Jan 9	Feb 6 – Feb 20	Feb 6 – Feb 13	—	60–70 days	Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.
Marigold	Dec 19 – Jan 2	—	Feb 6 – Feb 13	—	45–60 days	Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.
Cosmos	Jan 2 – Jan 9	Feb 6 – Feb 20	Feb 6 – Feb 13	—	60–90 days	Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.
Nasturtium	—	Feb 6 – Feb 20	—	—	50–65 days	Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Dahlia	—	—	Feb 6 – Feb 20	—	90–120 days	Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive.

Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the last frost in Fish Hawk, FL?

Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the PLANT CITY, FL US station, the last spring frost in Fish Hawk typically falls around January 30. A cautious gardener might wait until March 2 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while December 31 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.

When is the first frost in Fish Hawk, FL in fall?

The first fall frost in Fish Hawk typically arrives around January 6. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as December 8; in milder years it can hold off until February 5.

How long is the growing season in Fish Hawk, FL?

Fish Hawk's average frost-free growing season is about 335 days, running from the typical last spring frost (January 30) to the typical first fall frost (January 6).

What USDA hardiness zone is Fish Hawk, FL in?

Fish Hawk, FL is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.