Frost dates for 32506Pensacola, FL
The average last spring frost in Pensacola is February 28 and the average first fall frost is November 29, giving a typical growing season of about 277 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 29
- Growing season
- 277 days
Safer after Mar 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 8 (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 21 · Mar 13 · Apr 2 | Oct 30 · Nov 15 · Dec 5 | 248 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 31 · Feb 28 · Mar 20 | Nov 8 · Nov 29 · Jan 2 | 277 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 2 · Feb 6 · Mar 9 | Nov 17 · Dec 21 · Jan 22 | 314 days | 95% |
Planting calendar for Pensacola
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 | Jan 28 – Apr 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Sep 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 17 – Jan 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Sep 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Apr 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Oct 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 5 – Oct 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Oct 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 19 – Dec 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 32506 is matched to the NOAA station Pensacola Forest Sherman Nas, FL, 7 km away, at 28 ft elevation (11 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pensacola Forest Sherman Nas, FL (used) | 28 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 29 |
| Pensacola Rgnl Ap, FL | 112 ft | Feb 14 | Dec 9 |
| Pensacola 7 Nne, FL | 114 ft | Feb 17 | Dec 9 |
| Chactaw Nolf Milton, FL | 102 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near Pensacola
- Pensacola, FL 32511 · last Feb 28, first Nov 29
- Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 · last Feb 28, first Nov 29
- Lillian, AL 36549 · last Feb 28, first Nov 29
- Seminole, AL 36574 · last Feb 28, first Nov 29
- Gonzalez, FL 32560 · last Feb 14, first Dec 9
- Cantonment, FL 32533 · last Feb 14, first Dec 9
- Elberta, AL 36530 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Milton, FL 32583 · last Feb 14, first Dec 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pensacola, FL?
- For ZIP code 32506, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pensacola Forest Sherman Nas, FL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 20.
- When is the first frost in Pensacola, FL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 32506?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 277 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.