Jacksonville, FL planting zone & frost dates

Jacksonville 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.

USDA hardiness zone9bavg. extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F
Average last spring frostFebruary 190% chance of no frost after March 3
Average first fall frostJanuary 510% chance of frost by December 3
Growing season330 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Jacksonville

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.

CropWhen
TomatoesStart seeds indoors: Dec 7 – Dec 21
Transplant outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15
PeppersStart seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7
Transplant outdoors: Feb 15 – Feb 22
EggplantStart seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7
Transplant outdoors: Feb 15 – Feb 22
BroccoliStart seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7
Transplant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18
CabbageStart seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7
Transplant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18
Onions (sets)Plant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18
PeasSow outdoors: Dec 21 – Jan 4
SpinachSow outdoors: Dec 21 – Jan 4
LettuceSow outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18
CarrotsSow outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18
BeansSow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15
CucumbersSow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15
Squash & zucchiniSow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15
BasilStart 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

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Frost risk in detail

90% chance50% chance10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is afterDec 31Feb 1Mar 3
First 32°F frost in fall is beforeFeb 6Jan 5Dec 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.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Jacksonville

Nearby cities

All cities in Florida → · Other zone 9b cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Jacksonville, FL?

Jacksonville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 9a.

When is the last frost in Jacksonville?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Jacksonville is February 1. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 3.

When can I plant tomatoes in Jacksonville?

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), 11.0 km (6.8 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.