Everglades, FL Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Everglades garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Jan 16
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Jan 14
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
363 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 11a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 1 Jan 16 Feb 3
First fall frost Feb 1 Jan 14 Jan 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the EVERGLADES station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Everglades

Computed from Everglades's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-11 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Nov 21 – Dec 5 Jan 23 – Jan 30
🫑 Peppers Nov 7 – Nov 21 Jan 30 – Feb 6
🥬 Lettuce Dec 5 – Dec 19 Dec 19 – Jan 2 Dec 19 – Jan 16
🫛 Peas Dec 5 – Dec 19
🥕 Carrots Dec 26 – Jan 16
🥦 Broccoli Nov 28 – Dec 12 Dec 26 – Jan 9
🥬 Kale Dec 5 – Dec 19 Dec 19 – Jan 2 Dec 19 – Jan 2
🥒 Cucumbers Dec 19 – Dec 26 Jan 23 – Jan 30 Jan 23 – Jan 30
🥒 Zucchini Dec 19 – Dec 26 Jan 23 – Jan 30 Jan 23 – Jan 30
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jan 23 – Jan 30
🌽 Sweet Corn Jan 23 – Jan 30
🌿 Basil Dec 5 – Dec 19 Jan 23 – Jan 30 Jan 30 – Feb 6
🧄 Garlic Fall: Dec 3 – Dec 31

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Everglades's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Everglades

With roughly 363 frost-free days, Everglades gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Jan 14 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Everglades, FL?

The average last spring frost in Everglades is around Jan 16, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Everglades, FL?

The average first fall frost in Everglades arrives around Jan 14. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Everglades?

About 363 frost-free days on average, from Jan 16 to Jan 14. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Everglades in?

USDA zone 11a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.