When to plant in Alachua, FL
USDA Zone 9aAlachua, Florida frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
With about 275 frost-free days, Alachua supports back-to-back plantings; stagger sowings every few weeks to keep beds productive spring through fall. In zone 9a, frost is a minor factor for Alachua — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
The average first fall frost in Alachua is now 7 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
GAINESVILLE 11 WNW · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Alachua’s own odds, recorded at GAINESVILLE 11 WNW.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 7 | Mar 20 | Feb 23 | Nov 1 | Nov 20 | Dec 12 |
| 32°F | Mar 26 | Mar 4 | Feb 3 | Nov 10 | Dec 4 | Jan 6 |
| 28°F | Mar 15 | Feb 16 | Jan 11 | Nov 24 | Dec 24 | Feb 1 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Alachua, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 22 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Alachua planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Alachua, FL?
On average, the last spring frost in Alachua is around March 4 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Alachua, FL?
In Alachua, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around December 4 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Alachua in?
Alachua is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. In zone 9a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Alachua?
Alachua has about 275 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (March 4) and first fall frost (December 4).
When should I plant tomatoes in Alachua?
For Alachua, sow tomatoes indoors about January 7–January 21 and move the seedlings out around March 11, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Alachua
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Alachua’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Gainesville · 17 km
- Lake City · 48 km
- Middleburg · 64 km
- Asbury Lake · 74 km
- Ocala · 74 km
- Oakleaf Plantation · 76 km
- On Top of the World · 77 km
- Lakeside · 80 km
Frost dates recorded at GAINESVILLE 11 WNW, 11 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Alachua, FL — Frost Dates & Zone 9a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00083322. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/florida/alachua.