Frost dates for 32059Lee, FL
The average last spring frost in Lee is March 5 and the average first fall frost is November 29, giving a typical growing season of about 273 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 29
- Growing season
- 273 days
Safer after Mar 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 10 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 26 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 18 · Apr 5 | Nov 1 · Nov 17 · Dec 6 | 245 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 3 · Mar 5 · Mar 23 | Nov 10 · Nov 29 · Dec 28 | 273 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 10 · Feb 14 · Mar 15 | Nov 21 · Dec 15 · Jan 19 | 305 days | 96% |
Planting calendar for Lee
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 2 – Apr 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – May 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Sep 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Sep 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Oct 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 5 – Oct 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Oct 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 19 – Dec 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 32059 is matched to the NOAA station Madison, FL, 13.6 km away, at 120 ft elevation (35 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, FL (used) | 120 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 29 |
| Live Oak, FL | 120 ft | Feb 20 | Dec 6 |
| Mayo, FL | 65 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 25 |
| Jasper, FL | 147 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 22 |
Frost dates near Lee
- Madison, FL 32341 · last Mar 5, first Nov 29
- Jennings, FL 32053 · last Mar 11, first Nov 22
- Day, FL 32013 · last Mar 8, first Nov 25
- Pinetta, FL 32350 · last Mar 5, first Nov 29
- Live Oak, FL 32064 · last Feb 20, first Dec 6
- Lake Park, GA 31636 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
- Greenville, FL 32331 · last Mar 7, first Nov 23
- Shady Grove, FL 32357 · last Mar 4, first Nov 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lee, FL?
- For ZIP code 32059, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Madison, FL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 23.
- When is the first frost in Lee, FL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 32059?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 273 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.