When is the last frost in Lakeland, FL?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Lakeland is around January 26, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Lakeland 2, FL station (7.6 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Lakeland?

The average first fall frost in Lakeland, FL is around January 9, giving roughly a 349-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Lakeland, FL?

Lakeland is in USDA plant hardiness zone 10a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 30 to 35°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Lakeland?

In Lakeland, FL the warmest month is August (avg high 92.2°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 50.6°F). It averages about 56.8″ of precipitation a year.

Home › Florida › Lakeland

Lakeland, FL Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 10a · ZIP 33801 · elevation 42′ · NOAA & USDA data

Lakeland is in USDA hardiness zone 10a (winters can dip to 30 to 35°F), with a growing season of about 349 days between the average last spring frost (January 26) and first fall frost (January 9). The warmest month is August (avg high 92.2°F); the coldest is January (avg low 50.6°F). It averages 56.8″ of precipitation a year. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

10a

min temp 30 to 35°F

Last spring frost

January 26

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

January 9

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

349 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

August

avg high 92.2°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Lakeland

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Lakeland 2, FL (7.6 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)
January	73.7	50.6	62.2	3
February	76.7	53.3	65	2.3
March	80.2	56.5	68.3	3.1
April	85.1	61.4	73.2	2.8
May	89.5	66.9	78.2	3.8
June	91.3	72.3	81.8	8.7
July	92.1	74.2	83.2	8.9
August	92.2	74.4	83.3	9.1
September	90.3	73.1	81.7	7.6
October	85.9	66.9	76.4	3
November	79.8	58.6	69.2	1.9
December	75.6	53.9	64.8	2.6

What to plant when in Lakeland

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 15 · Transplant out: February 2
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 1 · Transplant out: February 9
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: February 2
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: February 2
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: February 2
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: February 2
Basil	warm	Transplant out: February 2
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): December 22 · Sow (fall): November 14
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): December 15 · Sow (fall): November 14
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): December 29 · Sow (fall): November 14
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): January 5 · Sow (fall): October 31
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): January 12
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): January 5 · Sow (fall): October 31
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): December 29
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: January 12
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): December 29 · Sow (fall): November 28

Dates are computed from Lakeland's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Florida

Kissimmee, FL Tampa, FL Winter Garden, FL St. Cloud, FL Ocoee, FL Orlando, FL St. Petersburg, FL Apopka, FL

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Lakeland 2, FL, 7.6 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Lakeland 2, FL, 7.6 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.