Zone 11a Frost Dates & Planting Calendar
USDA Zone 11a has average coldest-winter lows of 40°F to 45°F. Across the 82 cities we track in this zone, the typical last spring frost is around January 18 and the typical first fall frost around January 13.
Winter low 40°F to 45°F
Typical last frost January 18
Typical first frost January 13
Cities 82
Hardiness zones describe winter cold, not frost timing (why that matters). For dates specific to your town, look up your ZIP code.
Zone 11a Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Nov 23 – Dec 7 | — | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | — | 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 9 – Nov 23 | — | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | — | 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 9 – Nov 23 | — | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Dec 21 – Dec 28 | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | — | 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 | Dec 28 – Jan 4 | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | — | 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 21 – Dec 28 | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | — | — | 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 21 – Dec 28 | — | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Dec 21 – Dec 28 | — | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | — | — | 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 18 – Feb 1 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | Nov 4 – Nov 18 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | Dec 2 – Dec 9 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Nov 30 – Dec 14 | — | Dec 28 – Jan 4 | Nov 11 – Nov 18 | 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 | Nov 30 – Dec 14 | — | Jan 4 – Jan 11 | Nov 4 – Nov 11 | 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 | Nov 30 – Dec 14 | — | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Nov 4 – Nov 18 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Nov 30 – Dec 14 | — | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | — | 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 21 – Jan 4 | — | Oct 21 – Nov 4 | 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 21 – Jan 4 | — | Nov 4 – Nov 18 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | — | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | 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 21 – Jan 4 | — | Nov 4 – Nov 18 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Nov 9 – Nov 23 | — | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | 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 16 – Dec 30 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | — | 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 1 – Feb 15 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | 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 7 – Dec 14 | — | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | — | 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 | — | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | — | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Nov 23 – Dec 7 | — | Jan 4 – Jan 11 | — | 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 | — | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Nov 23 – Dec 7 | — | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Nov 23 – Dec 7 | — | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | — | 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 | — | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Dec 21 – Dec 28 | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | — | 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 7 – Dec 21 | — | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Dec 21 – Dec 28 | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | — | 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.
Cities in Zone 11a
| City | Last frost | First frost |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Miami, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Hialeah, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Pembroke Pines, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Hollywood, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Miramar, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Miami Gardens, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Pompano Beach, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Davie, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Boca Raton, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Santa Monica, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Miami Beach, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Sunrise, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Kendall, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Deerfield Beach, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Doral, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Lauderhill, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Redondo Beach, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Delray Beach, FL | Jan 22 | Jan 17 |
| Carol City, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| North Miami, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Fountainebleau, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Allapattah, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Little Havana, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Coral Gables, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Flagami, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Country Club, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Cutler Bay, FL | Jan 18 | Jan 13 |
| Oakland Park, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| North Miami Beach, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Hilo, HI | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Venice, CA | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Hallandale Beach, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Princeton, FL | Jan 18 | Jan 13 |
| Aventura, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| West Little River, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Golden Glades, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Dania Beach, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Miami Lakes, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
| Westchester, FL | Frost-free | Frost-free |
States with Zone 11a cities
- Florida (75)
- California (5)
- Hawaii (2)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the temperature range for Zone 11a?
Zone 11a is defined by an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of 40°F to 45°F (USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map).
When is the last frost in Zone 11a?
Typically around January 18, though it varies by location. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not frost timing, so two places in the same zone can have last frosts weeks apart — check your city's page for local dates.
When is the first frost in Zone 11a?
Typically around January 13 across the cities we track in Zone 11a.