Frost dates for 32578Niceville, FL
The average last spring frost in Niceville is March 12 and the average first fall frost is November 19, giving a typical growing season of about 253 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 12
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 19
- Growing season
- 253 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 16 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) | Mar 2 · Mar 27 · Apr 12 | Oct 25 · Nov 8 · Dec 1 | 227 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 12 · Mar 31 | Nov 3 · Nov 19 · Dec 13 | 253 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 28 · Feb 25 · Mar 20 | Nov 13 · Dec 5 · Jan 9 | 286 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Niceville
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 9 – Apr 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – May 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Apr 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Jan 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 9 – Dec 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 32578 is matched to the NOAA station Niceville, FL, 1.9 km away, at 60 ft elevation (21 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niceville, FL (used) | 60 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 19 |
| Destin Ft Walton Ap, FL | 22 ft | Feb 5 | Dec 28 |
| Crestview Bob Sikes Ap, FL | 190 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 12 |
| De Funiak Springs 1 E, FL | 245 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 28 |
Frost dates near Niceville
- Valparaiso, FL 32580 · last Mar 12, first Nov 19
- Shalimar, FL 32579 · last Feb 5, first Dec 28
- Eglin Afb, FL 32542 · last Mar 12, first Nov 19
- Destin, FL 32541 · last Feb 5, first Dec 28
- Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 · last Mar 12, first Nov 19
- Niceville, FL 32588 · last Mar 21, first Nov 12
- Miramar Beach, FL 32550 · last Feb 5, first Dec 28
- Hurlburt Field, FL 32544 · last Feb 5, first Dec 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Niceville, FL?
- For ZIP code 32578, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Niceville, FL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in Niceville, FL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 32578?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 253 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.