Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Lakeland Highlands, FL
Plan your garden around Lakeland Highlands, 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 26
Safe Feb 21
Typical Jan 26
Risky Jan 2
First Fall Frost
January 9
Safe Dec 20
Typical Jan 9
Risky Feb 4
Growing Season
349 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 10a
Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.
Data: NOAA station LAKELAND 2, FL US, 7.2 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | — | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | — | 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 17 – Dec 1 | — | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | 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 17 – Dec 1 | — | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | — | 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 5 – Jan 12 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | — | 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 | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | — | 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 2 – Feb 16 | — | — | 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 | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | — | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | — | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | — | — | 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 26 – Feb 9 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | — | Nov 14 – Nov 28 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | — | Nov 14 – Nov 28 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | — | Oct 31 – Nov 14 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | — | Nov 28 – Dec 5 | 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 5 – Jan 19 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Dec 8 – Dec 22 | — | Jan 5 – Jan 12 | Nov 7 – Nov 14 | 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 8 – Dec 22 | — | Jan 12 – Jan 19 | Oct 31 – Nov 7 | 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 8 – Dec 22 | — | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Oct 31 – Nov 14 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Dec 8 – Dec 22 | — | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | — | 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 | — | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | — | Oct 17 – Oct 31 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | — | Oct 31 – Nov 14 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | — | Nov 28 – Dec 12 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | — | Oct 31 – Nov 14 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Nov 17 – Dec 1 | — | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | — | 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 12 – Dec 26 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | — | — | 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 9 – Feb 23 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | — | 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. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Dec 15 – Dec 22 | — | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | — | 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 5 – Jan 19 | — | Nov 14 – Nov 28 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | — | Jan 12 – Jan 19 | — | 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 5 – Jan 19 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | — | Jan 26 – Feb 2 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | — | Jan 26 – Feb 2 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | — | 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 15 – Dec 29 | — | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | 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 Lakeland Highlands, FL?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the LAKELAND 2, FL US station, the last spring frost in Lakeland Highlands typically falls around January 26. A cautious gardener might wait until February 21 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while January 2 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Lakeland Highlands, FL in fall?
The first fall frost in Lakeland Highlands typically arrives around January 9. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as December 20; in milder years it can hold off until February 4.
How long is the growing season in Lakeland Highlands, FL?
Lakeland Highlands's average frost-free growing season is about 349 days, running from the typical last spring frost (January 26) to the typical first fall frost (January 9).
What USDA hardiness zone is Lakeland Highlands, FL in?
Lakeland Highlands, FL is in USDA plant hardiness zone 10a, 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.