Winter Garden, FL planting zone & frost dates
Winter Garden is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around January 28 and the first fall frost around January 9, for a growing season of about 343 days.
Planting calendar for Winter Garden
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (January 28) 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 3 – Dec 17 Transplant outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 17 – Dec 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 17 – Dec 31 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 17 – Dec 31 Transplant outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
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 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 | Jan 1 | Jan 28 | Feb 26 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Feb 6 | Jan 9 | Dec 18 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after February 26, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before December 18. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 20.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Winter Garden
- 34777 zone 9b
- 34778 zone 9b
- 34787 zone 9b
Nearby cities
- Ocoee zone 10a, last frost Jan 28
- Lake Butler zone 10a, last frost Jan 28
- Pine Hills zone 10a, last frost Jan 28
- Apopka zone 9b, last frost Feb 24
- Horizon West zone 9b, last frost Jan 29
- Doctor Phillips zone 10a, last frost Jan 28
- Lockhart zone 10a
- Minneola zone 9b, last frost Jan 29
Questions
What growing zone is Winter Garden, FL?
Winter Garden 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 Winter Garden?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Winter Garden is January 28. There is still a 10% chance of frost until February 26.
When can I plant tomatoes in Winter Garden?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 4 – Feb 11. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Orlando W, FL (USC00086634), 7.4 km (4.6 mi) from the city center, elevation 46 m, based on 7 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.