Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 32610 (Gainesville, 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, Gainesville Rgnl AP, FL (5 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)277 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°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
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 70°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Sellers Lake #1 (57 mi).
4-inch depth
77°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Sellers Lake #1 (57 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 32610 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 77°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 September to early October).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Southeast (warm, humid). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Centipedegrass (warm-season): Spring: Not before mid-May (NC State); after full green-up (about Apr 18 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Optional mid-summer feeding, especially on sandy coastal soils. Avoid: Early-spring feeding, frequent feeding and liming unless a soil test calls for it (centipede decline).
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall sowing Sep 23–Oct 21
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 7–28
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 7–28
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 7–21
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 7–Nov 4
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 7–21
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 7–21
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 7–21
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 23–Oct 21
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 2: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
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) | Feb 1 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 3 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 23 |
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) | Nov 12 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 2 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 1 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 17 | Nov 19 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 3 | Dec 2 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 12 | Dec 25 |
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 32610
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 3) and first fall frost (Dec 2). 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 | Jan 6–20 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | Aug 5–Sep 2 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 2 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 2 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 6–20 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 6–20 | Feb 10–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 3–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–28 (transplant) Sep 23–Oct 21 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 20–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–28 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 6–20 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–Oct 7 (transplant) Aug 26–Sep 23 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 6–20 | Feb 3–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–Oct 7 (transplant) Aug 26–Sep 23 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 26–Sep 23 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 26–Sep 23 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Aug 26–Sep 23 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 9–23 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 2 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 6–20 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–21 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–Nov 4 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–21 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 17–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 10–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 27–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 21–Nov 4 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 10–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 6–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 9–23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 20–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 9–23 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 21–Nov 18 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Oct 21–Nov 18 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 12–26 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 24–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 3–10 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 3–10 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 3–10 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 3–10 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 3–10 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 9–23 | Mar 10–17 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–21 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 10–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–21 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 23–Oct 21 (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 March 3 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Gainesville Rgnl AP, FL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00012816), elevation 123 ft, 5.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville 11 WNW, FL | 10 mi | Mar 4 | Dec 4 |
| High Springs, FL | 20 mi | Mar 13 | Nov 22 |
| Starke, FL | 25 mi | Feb 8 | Dec 24 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 36 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 32610
When is the last frost in 32610?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 32610 is March 3. For a more cautious planting date, use March 23, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 32610?
The average first fall freeze is December 2. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 12.
What hardiness zone is 32610?
ZIP 32610 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 32610 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
32612 Gainesville 32603 Gainesville 32601 Gainesville 32605 Gainesville 32607 Gainesville 32608 Gainesville 32641 Gainesville 32606 Gainesville
Other ZIP codes in Alachua County
32601 32603 32605 32606 32607 32608 32609 32612 32615 32616 32618 32631 32640 32641 32643 32653 32658 32667 32669 32694 All Alachua County frost dates · Florida frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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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.