When to plant in Clearwater, FL
USDA Zone 10aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Clearwater, Florida — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Clearwater's growing season is short at roughly -3 days, so succession planting is limited; lean on transplants over direct sowing for anything slow to mature. In zone 10a, frost is a minor factor for Clearwater — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
The average first fall frost in Clearwater is now 7 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
ST PETERSBURG INTL AP · 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 Clearwater’s own odds, recorded at ST PETERSBURG INTL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Feb 17 | Jan 23 | Jan 1 | Dec 22 | Jan 12 | Feb 6 |
| 32°F | Feb 6 | Jan 17 | Jan 1 | Dec 27 | Jan 14 | Feb 4 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Nothing new to sow or transplant outdoors in the next few weeks — a seasonal lull. Check the full-year calendar below for the next window.
Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Clearwater, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 23 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.
Clearwater planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Clearwater, FL?
On average, the last spring frost in Clearwater is around January 17 (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 Clearwater, FL?
In Clearwater, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around January 14 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Clearwater in?
Clearwater is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. In zone 10a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Clearwater?
Clearwater has about -3 frost-free days — a short growing season — between the average last spring frost (January 17) and first fall frost (January 14).
When should I plant tomatoes in Clearwater?
For Clearwater, sow tomatoes indoors about November 22–December 6 and move the seedlings out around January 24, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Clearwater
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Clearwater’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Dunedin · 7 km
- Safety Harbor · 8 km
- Largo · 8 km
- Palm Harbor · 12 km
- Oldsmar · 12 km
- Bardmoor · 14 km
- Pinellas Park · 15 km
- Seminole · 15 km
Frost dates recorded at ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, 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 Clearwater, FL — Frost Dates & Zone 10a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00012873. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/florida/clearwater.