Frost dates for 34470Ocala, FL
The average last spring frost in Ocala is February 25 and the average first fall frost is December 12, giving a typical growing season of about 293 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 25
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 12
- Growing season
- 293 days
Safer after Mar 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 39 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 18 · Mar 12 · Apr 1 | Nov 8 · Nov 27 · Dec 24 | 259 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 24 · Feb 25 · Mar 21 | Nov 21 · Dec 12 · Jan 14 | 293 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 2 · Feb 4 · Mar 7 | Dec 3 · Jan 3 · Feb 7 | 328 days | 86% |
Planting calendar for Ocala
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 25 – Apr 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Aug 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 25 – Feb 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Sep 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Sep 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Aug 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 14 – Jan 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 11 – Sep 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Oct 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Apr 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Oct 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Mar 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 18 – Oct 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Nov 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Oct 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Dec 2 – Jan 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 34470 is matched to the NOAA station Ocala, FL, 4 km away, at 75 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocala, FL (used) | 75 ft | Feb 25 | Dec 12 |
| Orange Springs 2Ssw, FL | 50 ft | Mar 1 | Dec 7 |
| Lisbon, FL | 68 ft | Feb 2 | Jan 3 |
| Inverness 3 Se, FL | 58 ft | Mar 3 | Dec 5 |
Frost dates near Ocala
- Silver Springs, FL 34489 · last Feb 25, first Dec 12
- Ocala, FL 34478 · last Feb 25, first Dec 12
- Belleview, FL 34421 · last Feb 25, first Dec 12
- Anthony, FL 32617 · last Feb 25, first Dec 12
- Sparr, FL 32192 · last Feb 25, first Dec 12
- Candler, FL 32111 · last Feb 25, first Dec 12
- Lowell, FL 32663 · last Feb 25, first Dec 12
- Citra, FL 32113 · last Feb 25, first Dec 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ocala, FL?
- For ZIP code 34470, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ocala, FL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 21.
- When is the first frost in Ocala, FL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 34470?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 293 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.