Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Southchase, FL
Plan your garden around Southchase, FL's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Monthly Temperatures
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Nov 30 – Dec 14 | — | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | 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 16 – Nov 30 | — | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | — | 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 16 – Nov 30 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Dec 28 – Jan 4 | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | 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 4 – Jan 11 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | 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 28 – Jan 4 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | 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 1 – Feb 15 | — | — | 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 28 – Jan 4 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Dec 28 – Jan 4 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | — | — | 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 25 – Feb 8 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | — | Nov 15 – Nov 29 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | — | Nov 15 – Nov 29 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | — | Nov 1 – Nov 15 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | — | Nov 29 – Dec 6 | 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 4 – Jan 18 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Jan 4 – Jan 11 | Nov 8 – Nov 15 | 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 7 – Dec 21 | — | Jan 11 – Jan 18 | Nov 1 – Nov 8 | 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 7 – Dec 21 | — | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Nov 1 – Nov 15 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Jan 4 – Jan 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 | — | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | — | Oct 18 – Nov 1 | 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 28 – Jan 11 | — | Nov 1 – Nov 15 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | Nov 29 – Dec 13 | 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 28 – Jan 11 | — | Nov 1 – Nov 15 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Nov 16 – Nov 30 | — | Dec 28 – Jan 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 | — | — | — | Dec 13 – Dec 27 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Dec 28 – Jan 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 | — | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Dec 28 – Jan 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. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Dec 14 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | 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 4 – Jan 18 | — | Nov 15 – Nov 29 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Nov 30 – Dec 14 | — | Jan 11 – Jan 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 | — | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Nov 30 – Dec 14 | — | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Nov 30 – Dec 14 | — | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | — | 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 1 – Feb 15 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Dec 28 – Jan 4 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | 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 14 – Dec 28 | — | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Dec 28 – Jan 4 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | — | 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 Southchase, FL?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US station, the last spring frost in Southchase typically falls around January 25. A cautious gardener might wait until February 26 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while December 30 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Southchase, FL in fall?
The first fall frost in Southchase typically arrives around January 10. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as December 18; in milder years it can hold off until February 10.
How long is the growing season in Southchase, FL?
Southchase's average frost-free growing season is about 355 days, running from the typical last spring frost (January 25) to the typical first fall frost (January 10).
What USDA hardiness zone is Southchase, FL in?
Southchase, 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.