Frost dates for 32526Pensacola, FL
The average last spring frost in Pensacola is February 14 and the average first fall frost is December 9, giving a typical growing season of about 301 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 14
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 9
- Growing season
- 301 days
Safer after Mar 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 17 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 36 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 8 · Mar 2 · Mar 21 | Nov 8 · Nov 25 · Dec 18 | 270 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 21 · Feb 14 · Mar 11 | Nov 17 · Dec 9 · Jan 10 | 301 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 2 · Jan 31 · Feb 28 | Dec 2 · Jan 1 · Jan 31 | 334 days | 86% |
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 14 – Mar 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 2 – Aug 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 14 – Feb 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 31 – Mar 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 – Apr 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 – Sep 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 – Aug 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Mar 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 3 – Dec 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 27 – Jan 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 8 – Sep 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 17 – Jan 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Sep 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Apr 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Mar 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 29 – Dec 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 32526 is matched to the NOAA station Pensacola Rgnl Ap, FL, 12.6 km away, at 112 ft elevation (17 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pensacola Rgnl Ap, FL (used) | 112 ft | Feb 14 | Dec 9 |
| Pensacola 7 Nne, FL | 114 ft | Feb 17 | Dec 9 |
| Pensacola Forest Sherman Nas, FL | 28 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 29 |
| Chactaw Nolf Milton, FL | 102 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near Pensacola
- Pensacola, FL 32509 · last Feb 28, first Nov 29
- Gonzalez, FL 32560 · last Feb 14, first Dec 9
- Seminole, AL 36574 · last Feb 28, first Nov 29
- Cantonment, FL 32533 · last Feb 14, first Dec 9
- Lillian, AL 36549 · last Feb 28, first Nov 29
- Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 · last Feb 28, first Nov 29
- Molino, FL 32577 · last Mar 15, first Nov 13
- Milton, FL 32571 · last Mar 15, first Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pensacola, FL?
- For ZIP code 32526, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pensacola Rgnl Ap, FL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 11.
- When is the first frost in Pensacola, FL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 32526?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 301 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.