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Frost dates and planting calendar for Pensacola, Florida

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on USDA, NOAA and Colorado State University Extension data. Published by Humblebee.

USDA hardiness zone
9a[1]
Median last spring frost
Feb 14[2]
Median first fall frost
Dec 9[3]
Growing season, median
301 days[4]

Pensacola, Florida sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a[1]. The median last spring frost is February 14, which means a last frost after that date in half of years[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast spring frost: 9 in 10 years after Jan 21, half of years Feb 14, 1 in 10 years after Mar 11Last frostmedian Feb 14First frostmedian Dec 9Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Jan 17 to Jan 31Jan 17 to Jan 31Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Jan 31 to Feb 14Jan 31 to Feb 14TenderTender vegetables: plant around Feb 14around Feb 14Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from Feb 28from Feb 28
Shaded: the span between the dates frost passes in 9 of 10 years and 1 of 10 years[2][3]. Green: planting windows from the CSU rules applied to the median last frost (GardenFacts calculation)[6]. Exact dates are in the tables below.

The frost dates here come from NOAA climate normals for the Pensacola Regional Airport weather station, using records from 1991 to 2020[5]. In 9 of 10 years the last spring frost comes after January 21, and in 1 of 10 years it comes after March 11[2]. For the fall, the median first frost is December 9, so in half of years the first frost comes before that date[3]. These are chances from past records and not promises, so any year can be earlier or later[5].

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after January 21 after February 14 after March 11
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before November 17 before December 9 before January 10
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date January 31, median first fall date January 1[7].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 266 days in 9 of 10 years, 301 days in half of years and 336 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
  • The low reached 32°F or colder in 98.9% of years and 28°F or colder in 85.9% of years[8].
  • Weather station: Pensacola Regional Airport (USW00013899), 2.6 miles from the city center, 112 feet, 28 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].

When to plant vegetables

Colorado State University Extension wrote its vegetable planting guide for Colorado, so these dates are a starting point only[6]. Using the NOAA median last frost of February 14 as the average, hardy vegetables such as broccoli, lettuce and spinach can go in as early as 2 to 4 weeks before it, which is January 17 to January 31[6]. Semi-hardy vegetables such as carrots and potatoes can go in as early as 2 weeks before it, which is January 31[9]. Tender vegetables such as snap beans and sweet corn can be planted from seed around February 14[10]. Very tender vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers typically start 2 or more weeks after the median last frost, so the earliest start is February 28[11].

  • Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (February 14) is January 17 to January 31[6]
  • Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (February 14) is January 31, up to the median date itself[9]
  • Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, February 14[10]
  • Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (February 14), is February 28[11]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[12] Jan 17 Mar 23 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[12] Jan 17 Apr 12 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[12] Jan 17 Mar 8
Lettuce (hardy)[12] Jan 17 Mar 18
Onions (hardy)[12] Jan 17 May 7
Peas (hardy)[12] Jan 17 Mar 23
Radishes (hardy)[12] Jan 17 Feb 16
Spinach (hardy)[12] Jan 17 Feb 26
Turnips (hardy)[12] Jan 17 Mar 8
Beets (semi-hardy)[12] Jan 31 Apr 1
Carrots (semi-hardy)[12] Jan 31 Apr 11
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[12] Jan 31 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[12] Jan 31 Apr 11
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[12] Jan 31 Jun 5
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[12] Jan 31 Apr 1
Snap beans (tender)[12] Feb 14 Apr 15
Sweet corn (tender)[12] Feb 14 Apr 15
Cucumbers (tender)[12] Feb 14 Apr 10
Summer squash (tender)[12] Feb 14 Apr 5
Cantaloupe (very tender)[12] Feb 28 May 24
Eggplant (very tender)[12] Feb 28 Apr 29 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[12] Feb 28 May 9 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[12] Feb 28 May 4 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[12] Feb 28 Jun 8
Watermelon (very tender)[12] Feb 28 May 24
Spacing, depth and soil temperature (CSU Extension)
Vegetable Min. soil temp Depth Spacing Days to harvest
Broccoli[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 65
Cabbage[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 85
Kohlrabi[13] 40°F 1/2 in 7-9 in 50
Lettuce[13] 35°F 1/4 in 7-9 in 60
Onions[13] 35°F 1/4 in (seed), 1-2 in (sets) 4-6 in 110
Peas[13] 40°F 1 in 4-6 in 65
Radishes[13] 40°F 1/2 in 2-3 in 30
Spinach[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 40
Turnips[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 50
Beets[13] 40°F 3/4-1 in 4-6 in 60
Carrots[13] 40°F 1/4 in 2-3 in 70
Cauliflower[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in –
Parsnips[13] 35°F 1/2 in 5-6 in 70
Potatoes[13] 45°F – – 125
Swiss chard[13] 40°F 1 in 7-9 in 60
Snap beans[13] 55°F 1-1 1/2 in 6 in 60
Sweet corn[13] 50°F 1-1 1/2 in 12 x 30 in or 9 x 36 in 60-90
Cucumbers[13] 60°F 1 in 6 in trellised, 24-36 in untrellised 55
Summer squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 50
Cantaloupe[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85
Eggplant[13] 60°F 1/4 in 18-24 in 60
Peppers[13] 60°F 1/4 in 15-18 in 70
Tomatoes[13] 50°F 1/4 in 24 in trellised 65
Winter squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 100
Watermelon[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85

Hardiness zone

The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Pensacola in zone 9a, which means an average coldest night of 20°F to 25°F[1]. The zone is based on the coldest winter night and not on summer heat or frost dates[14]. All 6 ZIP code areas that overlap the city are rated zone 9a, so the city does not span more than one zone[15].

Zone 9a: average annual extreme minimum temperature 20°F to 25°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: 25°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 9a 100%[15].

All towns in zone 9a and what zone 9a means

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
32504[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
32503[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
32501[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
32502[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
32505[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
32514[15] 9a 20 to 25°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is Pensacola?
The USDA 2023 map puts the center of Pensacola in zone 9a[1]. By land area, 100% of the city lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 9a[15].
When is the last frost in Pensacola?
The median last spring frost at the Pensacola Regional Airport station is February 14, so a last frost after that date happens in half of years[2]. In 1 of 10 years the last frost comes after March 11[2].
When is the first frost in Pensacola?
The median first fall frost is December 9, so the first frost comes before that date in half of years[3]. In 1 of 10 years it comes before November 17[3].
When to plant tomatoes in Pensacola?
CSU Extension typically starts tomatoes 2 or more weeks after the average last spring frost, which gives an earliest start of February 28 using the NOAA median[11]. CSU's guide was written for Colorado[11].
How long is the growing season in Pensacola?
The growing season between the last spring and first fall frost is at least 301 days in half of years[4]. It is at least 266 days in 9 of 10 years[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Pensacola, Florida in zone 9a. Zone 9a means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 20°F to 25°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is 25°F. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
  2. Last spring frost (32°F) at this station: in 9 of 10 years the last frost comes after January 21, in half of years after February 14, and in 1 of 10 years after March 11 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is February 14. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  3. First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before November 17, in half of years before December 9, and in 9 of 10 years before January 10 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is December 9. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 266 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 301 days in half of years, and at least 336 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Pensacola Regional Airport weather station (USW00013899), 2.6 miles from the center of Pensacola at 112 feet, using 28 years of records from 1991 to 2020. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  6. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips as hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 2-4 weeks before the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  7. Hard freeze (28°F) at this station: the median last spring date is January 31 and the median first fall date is January 1. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  8. At this station the low reached 32°F or colder in 98.9% of years from 1991 to 2020, and 28°F or colder in 85.9% of years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  9. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard as semi-hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 0-2 weeks before the average last spring frost.... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  10. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash as tender vegetables, with this rule: from seed around the average last spring frost; cucumber and summer squash... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  11. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon as very tender vegetables, with this rule: typically 2 or more weeks after the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  12. GardenFacts calculation: earliest planting date plus CSU days to harvest (table on this page), from the station's median last frost. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  13. CSU Extension vegetable table: soil temperature, depth, spacing, days to harvest (table on this page). CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  14. USDA hardiness zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature (the coldest night of each winter, averaged over 1991 to 2020 for the 2023 map), not on summer heat or frost dates. Each zone spans 10°F and each half zone (a or b)... USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
  15. Pensacola, Florida overlaps 6 ZIP code areas. By land area, 100% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 9a. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)

Frost dates are probabilities from 1991 to 2020 weather records at one NOAA station, not a forecast. Any year can be earlier or later. The hardiness zone describes the average coldest winter night, not frost dates or summer heat. Spots inside the city can differ (ZIP table). Planting rules come from Colorado State University Extension's guide, written for Colorado. A local extension office may give dates tuned to the area. Planting and harvest dates marked GardenFacts calculation are simple arithmetic from the facts above, not advice from the source.

Hardiness zone data: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed October 30, 2026. This is not the official USDA map. Frost data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension.