Fruit Cove, FL planting zone & frost dates
Fruit Cove is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around February 1 and the first fall frost around January 5, for a growing season of about 330 days.
Planting calendar for Fruit Cove
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 1) 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: Dec 7 – Dec 21 Transplant outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7 Transplant outdoors: Feb 15 – Feb 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7 Transplant outdoors: Feb 15 – Feb 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7 Transplant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7 Transplant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 21 – Jan 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 21 – Jan 4 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 21 – Jan 4 Transplant outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Nov 10 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Jan 5).
Useful for zone 9b 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 31 | Feb 1 | Mar 3 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Feb 6 | Jan 5 | Dec 3 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 3, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before December 3. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 22.
Nearby cities
- Fleming Island zone 9b, last frost Feb 1
- Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace zone 9b, last frost Feb 1
- Lakeside zone 9a, last frost Feb 1
- Oakleaf Plantation zone 9a, last frost Feb 1
- Jacksonville zone 9b, last frost Feb 1
- Middleburg zone 9a, last frost Feb 1
- Palm Valley zone 9b, last frost Jan 31
- Ponte Vedra Beach zone 9b, last frost Jan 31
Questions
What growing zone is Fruit Cove, FL?
Fruit Cove is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Fruit Cove?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Fruit Cove is February 1. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 3.
When can I plant tomatoes in Fruit Cove?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 8 – Feb 15. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Jacksonville Nas, FL (USW00093837), 13.8 km (8.6 mi) from the city center, elevation 6 m, based on 23 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.