Cocoa Beach, FL planting zone & frost dates
Cocoa Beach is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. The last spring frost usually comes around January 24 and the first fall frost around January 9, for a growing season of about 359 days.
Planting calendar for Cocoa Beach
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (January 24) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Nov 29 – Dec 13 Transplant outdoors: Jan 31 – Feb 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 15 – Nov 29 Transplant outdoors: Feb 7 – Feb 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 15 – Nov 29 Transplant outdoors: Feb 7 – Feb 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 15 – Nov 29 Transplant outdoors: Dec 27 – Jan 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 15 – Nov 29 Transplant outdoors: Dec 27 – Jan 10 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Dec 27 – Jan 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 13 – Dec 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 13 – Dec 27 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Dec 27 – Jan 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Dec 27 – Jan 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Dec 27 – Jan 10 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Jan 31 – Feb 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Jan 31 – Feb 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Jan 31 – Feb 7 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Jan 31 – Feb 7 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 13 – Dec 27 Transplant outdoors: Jan 31 – Feb 7 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Nov 14 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Jan 9).
Useful for zone 10a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Dec 29 | Jan 24 | Feb 24 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Feb 13 | Jan 9 | Dec 20 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after February 24, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before December 20. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 15.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Cocoa Beach
- 32931 zone 10a
- 32932 zone 10a
Nearby cities
- Merritt Island zone 10a, last frost Jan 24
- Rockledge zone 10a, last frost Jan 24
- Viera East zone 10a, last frost Jan 24
- Satellite Beach zone 10a, last frost Jan 24
- Cocoa zone 10a, last frost Jan 29
- Melbourne zone 10a
- Port Saint John zone 10a
- West Melbourne zone 10a
Questions
What growing zone is Cocoa Beach, FL?
Cocoa Beach is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 10a (average extreme winter low 30°F to 35°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Cocoa Beach?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Cocoa Beach is January 24. There is still a 10% chance of frost until February 24.
When can I plant tomatoes in Cocoa Beach?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Jan 31 – Feb 7. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Melbourne Wfo, FL (USC00085612), 23.4 km (14.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 11 m, based on 29 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.