Frost dates for 34477Ocala, 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 34477 is matched to the NOAA station Ocala, FL, 6.6 km away, at 75 ft elevation (6 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 |
| Inverness 3 Se, FL | 58 ft | Mar 3 | Dec 5 |
| Lisbon, FL | 68 ft | Feb 2 | Jan 3 |
Frost dates near Ocala
- Ocala, FL 34478 · last Feb 25, first Dec 12
- Silver Springs, FL 34489 · 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
- Lowell, FL 32663 · last Feb 25, first Dec 12
- Dunnellon, FL 34432 · last Feb 25, first Dec 12
- Candler, FL 32111 · last Feb 25, first Dec 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ocala, FL?
- For ZIP code 34477, 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 34477?
- 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.