Frost dates for 32234Jacksonville, FL
The average last spring frost in Jacksonville is March 8 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 272 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 8
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 272 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 9 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 28 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 27 · Mar 24 · Apr 14 | Oct 30 · Nov 17 · Dec 6 | 239 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 6 · Mar 8 · Mar 31 | Nov 9 · Dec 1 · Dec 28 | 272 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 12 · Feb 17 · Mar 16 | Nov 23 · Dec 21 · Jan 20 | 306 days | 96% |
Planting calendar for Jacksonville
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 5 – Apr 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – May 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Apr 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 25 – Jan 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 32234 is matched to the NOAA station Glen St Mary 1 W, FL, 20.8 km away, at 128 ft elevation (46 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glen St Mary 1 W, FL (used) | 128 ft | Mar 8 | Dec 1 |
| Jackson Whitehouse Nolf, FL | 99 ft | Feb 28 | Dec 3 |
| Jacksonville Nas, FL | 20 ft | Feb 1 | Jan 5 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 33 ft | Feb 25 | Dec 7 |
Frost dates near Jacksonville
- Jacksonville, FL 32221 · last Feb 1, first Jan 5
- Macclenny, FL 32063 · last Mar 8, first Dec 1
- Bryceville, FL 32009 · last Feb 28, first Dec 3
- Glen Saint Mary, FL 32040 · last Mar 8, first Dec 1
- Middleburg, FL 32068 · last Feb 1, first Jan 5
- Orange Park, FL 32065 · last Feb 1, first Jan 5
- Doctors Inlet, FL 32030 · last Feb 1, first Jan 5
- Saint George, GA 31562 · last Feb 26, first Dec 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Jacksonville, FL?
- For ZIP code 32234, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Glen St Mary 1 W, FL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in Jacksonville, FL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 32234?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 272 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.