Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Ocala, FL

The average first fall frost in Ocala, FL is December 12, and the average last spring frost is February 25, giving a growing season of about 293 days.

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

Last Spring Frost

February 25

Safe Mar 21 Typical Feb 25 Risky Jan 24

First Fall Frost

December 12

Safe Nov 21 Typical Dec 12 Risky Jan 14

Growing Season

293 days

Typical last frost to typical first frost.

USDA Hardiness Zone

Zone 9a

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

Data: NOAA station OCALA, FL US, 6.6 km away.

— days until the typical last spring frost

How Ocala Compares

Ocala's typical last spring frost (Feb 25) comes later than in 91% of the 248 Florida cities we track.
Its 293-day growing season is 62 days shorter than the Florida median of 355 days.
Compared with Gainesville (55 km away), Ocala's last spring frost comes 6 days earlier than Gainesville's, and its first fall frost arrives 10 days later.
July is the warmest month (average high 92°F) and January the coldest (average low 46°F).

Monthly Temperatures

Avg. high Avg. temp Avg. low

Planting Calendar

Vegetables
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Tomato	Dec 31 – Jan 14	—	Mar 4 – Mar 11	—	60–85 days	Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Pepper	Dec 17 – Dec 31	—	Mar 4 – Mar 18	—	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	Dec 17 – Dec 31	—	Mar 11 – Mar 18	—	65–85 days	Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Cucumber	Jan 28 – Feb 4	Mar 4 – Mar 11	Mar 4 – Mar 11	—	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	Feb 4 – Feb 11	Mar 4 – Mar 18	Mar 4 – Mar 11	—	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 28 – Feb 4	Mar 4 – Mar 18	Mar 4 – Mar 11	—	80–110 days	Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.
Pumpkin	—	Mar 4 – Mar 18	—	—	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 28 – Feb 4	—	Mar 11 – Mar 18	—	70–90 days	Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Cantaloupe	Jan 28 – Feb 4	—	Mar 11 – Mar 18	—	70–90 days	Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Corn	—	Feb 25 – Mar 11	—	—	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	—	Feb 25 – Mar 11	—	—	50–65 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush.
Pea	—	Jan 14 – Jan 28	—	—	55–70 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Lettuce	—	Jan 28 – Feb 11	—	Oct 17 – Oct 31	45–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.
Spinach	—	Jan 14 – Jan 28	—	Oct 17 – Oct 31	40–50 days	Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Kale	—	Jan 28 – Feb 11	—	Oct 3 – Oct 17	50–65 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants.
Arugula	—	Jan 28 – Feb 11	—	Oct 31 – Nov 7	30–40 days	Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks.
Swiss Chard	—	Feb 4 – Feb 18	—	—	50–60 days	Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Broccoli	Jan 7 – Jan 21	—	Feb 4 – Feb 11	Oct 10 – Oct 17	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	Jan 7 – Jan 21	—	Feb 11 – Feb 18	Oct 3 – Oct 10	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	Jan 7 – Jan 21	—	Jan 28 – Feb 11	Oct 3 – Oct 17	60–100 days	Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Brussels Sprouts	Jan 7 – Jan 21	—	Feb 4 – Feb 18	—	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 28 – Feb 11	—	Sep 19 – Oct 3	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 28 – Feb 11	—	Oct 3 – Oct 17	50–65 days	Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost.
Radish	—	Jan 21 – Feb 4	—	Oct 31 – Nov 14	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 28 – Feb 11	—	Oct 3 – Oct 17	40–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Onion	Dec 17 – Dec 31	—	Jan 28 – Feb 11	—	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	—	—	—	Nov 14 – Nov 28	240–270 days	Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.
Potato	—	Jan 28 – Feb 11	—	—	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	—	—	Mar 11 – Mar 25	—	90–120 days	Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive.
Asparagus	—	—	Jan 28 – Feb 11	—	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	Jan 14 – Jan 21	—	Mar 4 – Mar 11	—	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	—	Feb 4 – Feb 18	—	Oct 17 – Oct 31	45–70 days	Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring.
Parsley	Dec 31 – Jan 14	—	Feb 11 – Feb 18	—	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	—	Feb 4 – Feb 18	—	—	40–60 days	Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer.
Oregano	Dec 31 – Jan 14	—	Feb 25 – Mar 4	—	80–90 days	Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date.
Thyme	Dec 31 – Jan 14	—	Feb 25 – Mar 4	—	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	—	Mar 4 – Mar 18	—	—	70–100 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting.
Zinnia	Jan 28 – Feb 4	Mar 4 – Mar 18	Mar 4 – Mar 11	—	60–70 days	Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.
Marigold	Jan 14 – Jan 28	—	Mar 4 – Mar 11	—	45–60 days	Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.
Cosmos	Jan 28 – Feb 4	Mar 4 – Mar 18	Mar 4 – Mar 11	—	60–90 days	Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.
Nasturtium	—	Mar 4 – Mar 18	—	—	50–65 days	Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Dahlia	—	—	Mar 4 – Mar 18	—	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 Ocala, FL?

Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the OCALA, FL US station, the last spring frost in Ocala typically falls around February 25. A cautious gardener might wait until March 21 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while January 24 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.

When is the first frost in Ocala, FL in fall?

The first fall frost in Ocala typically arrives around December 12. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as November 21; in milder years it can hold off until January 14.

How long is the growing season in Ocala, FL?

Ocala's average frost-free growing season is about 293 days, running from the typical last spring frost (February 25) to the typical first fall frost (December 12).

What USDA hardiness zone is Ocala, FL in?

Ocala, FL is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9a, 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.