Frost dates for 32605Gainesville, FL
The average last spring frost in Gainesville is March 3 and the average first fall frost is December 2, giving a typical growing season of about 277 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 3
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 2
- Growing season
- 277 days
Safer after Mar 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 12 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 29 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 17 · Apr 7 | Nov 3 · Nov 19 · Dec 9 | 246 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 1 · Mar 3 · Mar 23 | Nov 12 · Dec 2 · Jan 1 | 277 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 9 · Feb 12 · Mar 14 | Nov 25 · Dec 25 · Jan 26 | 312 days | 94% |
Planting calendar for Gainesville
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 31 – Apr 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 19 – Aug 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 31 – Mar 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Aug 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – May 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – Sep 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – Aug 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Apr 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 20 – Jan 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Sep 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Apr 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Oct 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 8 – Oct 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Oct 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 22 – Dec 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 32605 is matched to the NOAA station Gainesville Rgnl Ap, FL, 9 km away, at 123 ft elevation (28 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville Rgnl Ap, FL (used) | 123 ft | Mar 3 | Dec 2 |
| Gainesville 11 Wnw, FL | 95 ft | Mar 4 | Dec 4 |
| High Springs, FL | 65 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 22 |
| Starke, FL | 150 ft | Feb 8 | Dec 24 |
Frost dates near Gainesville
- Gainesville, FL 32610 · last Mar 3, first Dec 2
- Alachua, FL 32616 · last Mar 13, first Nov 22
- La Crosse, FL 32658 · last Mar 3, first Dec 2
- Archer, FL 32618 · last Mar 3, first Dec 2
- Micanopy, FL 32667 · last Mar 3, first Dec 2
- Newberry, FL 32669 · last Mar 13, first Nov 22
- Waldo, FL 32694 · last Mar 3, first Dec 2
- Evinston, FL 32633 · last Mar 3, first Dec 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gainesville, FL?
- For ZIP code 32605, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gainesville Rgnl Ap, FL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 23.
- When is the first frost in Gainesville, FL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 32605?
- 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.