Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 32259 (Fruit Cove, FL)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Jacksonville NAS, FL (12 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 80% of years (about 4 freezing night(s) a year on average). The dates below describe freeze timing for the station's record; in many years there may be no 32°F freeze at all.
- Average last spring frostFeb 150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostJan 5 (next year)50% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)330 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Freezes are uncommon here, so frost-based timing is rough. Local extension calendars for frost-free areas use months.
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
77°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 74°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Brunswick 23 S (51 mi).
4-inch depth
78°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 77°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Brunswick 23 S (51 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 32259 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 78°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): not yet. Apply as soil cools toward 70°F (typically October to early November).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Gulf Coast and peninsular Florida. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- St. Augustinegrass (warm-season): Spring: About 2–3 weeks after full green-up (May in the Carolinas; earlier in Florida and south Texas) (about Mar 12 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Light feedings June–August where local rules allow; Last: No later than about mid-September in the Carolinas, about 6–8 weeks before first frost elsewhere. Avoid: Feeding before green-up or late in fall (feeds weeds and favors large patch and cold injury).
Plant now
- Kale: fall sowing Sep 29–Oct 27
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 13–Nov 10
- Collards: fall sowing Sep 29–Oct 27
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 13–Nov 10
- Broccoli: fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 27
- Cabbage: fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 27
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 27
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 13–27
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 24
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 27–Nov 24
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Dec 31 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 1 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 3 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Dec 3 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Jan 5 (next year) |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 6 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Feb 18 | Dec 17 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 1 | Jan 5 (next year) |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 22 | Jan 14 (next year) |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 32259
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 1) and first fall frost (Jan 5). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Dec 7–21 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 8–Oct 6 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 23–Dec 7 | Feb 15–Mar 1 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 6 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 23–Dec 7 | Feb 15–Mar 1 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 6 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 7–21 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 7–21 | Jan 11–Feb 1 (transplant) Jan 4–Feb 15 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–Dec 1 (transplant) Oct 27–Nov 24 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 21–Jan 11 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–Dec 1 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 7–21 | Jan 4–18 (transplant) Jan 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–Nov 10 (transplant) Sep 29–Oct 27 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 7–21 | Jan 4–Feb 1 (transplant) Jan 4–Feb 1 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–Nov 10 (transplant) Sep 29–Oct 27 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 23–Dec 7 | Jan 4–18 (transplant) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 23–Dec 7 | Jan 4–18 (transplant) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 23–Dec 7 | Jan 18–Feb 1 (transplant) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 9–23 | Jan 4–18 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 6 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 7–21 | Jan 4–18 (transplant) Jan 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–24 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 4–Feb 1 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–Dec 8 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 4–25 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–24 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Jan 18–Feb 8 (transplant) Jan 18–Feb 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 4–Feb 1 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 11–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 28–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Nov 24–Dec 8 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 4–25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 11–Feb 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 7–Jan 4 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 9–23 | Dec 21–Jan 4 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 21–Jan 18 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 9–23 | Jan 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 24–Dec 22 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 21–Jan 4 (transplant) | Nov 24–Dec 22 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 4–18 (transplant) | Sep 15–29 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 15–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 22–Mar 15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 4–11 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) Feb 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 4–11 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) Feb 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 4–11 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) Feb 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 4–11 | Feb 15–Mar 1 (transplant) Feb 15–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 4–11 | Feb 15–Mar 1 (transplant) Feb 15–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Feb 15–Mar 1 (transplant) Feb 15–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 9–23 | Feb 8–15 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) Feb 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 18–Feb 15 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 23–Dec 7 | Jan 18–Feb 1 (transplant) Jan 11–Feb 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–24 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 4–18 (transplant) | Oct 27–Nov 24 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Florida has a university or garden plant program: Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide. Plant frost-tender annuals after February 1 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Jacksonville NAS, FL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00093837), elevation 20 ft, 12.0 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Craig Muni AP, FL | 19 mi | Feb 9 | Dec 31 |
| Jacksonville Beach, FL | 19 mi | Jan 31 | Jan 10 (next year) |
| St Augustine Lighthouse, FL | 22 mi | Feb 1 | Jan 5 (next year) |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 9 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 32259
When is the last frost in 32259?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 32259 is February 1. For a more cautious planting date, use March 3, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 32259?
The average first fall freeze is January 5 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 3.
What hardiness zone is 32259?
ZIP 32259 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 32259 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
32258 Jacksonville 32223 Jacksonville 32003 Fleming Island 32257 Jacksonville 32095 Nocatee 32256 Jacksonville 32081 Nocatee 32092 World Golf Village
Other ZIP codes in St. Johns County
32033 32080 32081 32082 32084 32086 32092 32095 32145 All St. Johns County frost dates · Florida frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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- Weekly yard to-dos
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.