When to plant in East Lake, FL
USDA Zone 10aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for East Lake, Florida — all computed from East Lake's nearest NOAA weather station.
A ~-11-day frost-free window makes East Lake a short-season garden: choose early varieties and start long-season crops indoors well ahead of the last frost. Zone 10a is warm enough that East Lake can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
TARPON SPGS SEWAGE PLT · 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 East Lake’s own odds, recorded at TARPON SPGS SEWAGE PLT.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 1 | Jan 31 | Jan 1 | Dec 3 | Dec 31 | Jan 27 |
| 32°F | Feb 14 | Jan 20 | Dec 29 | Dec 16 | Jan 9 | Feb 4 |
| 28°F | Feb 5 | Jan 15 | Dec 29 | Dec 24 | Jan 13 | Feb 1 |
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 East Lake, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 24 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.
East Lake planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in East Lake, FL?
On average, the last spring frost in East Lake is around January 20 (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 East Lake, FL?
In East Lake, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around January 9 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is East Lake in?
East Lake is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. In zone 10a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in East Lake?
There are roughly -11 frost-free days in East Lake (a short growing season), running from the average last frost around January 20 to the first fall frost near January 9.
When should I plant tomatoes in East Lake?
In East Lake, start tomato seeds indoors around November 25–December 9, then transplant seedlings outdoors around January 27 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in East Lake
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to East Lake’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Trinity · 8 km
- Palm Harbor · 8 km
- Keystone · 8 km
- Oldsmar · 8 km
- Holiday · 9 km
- Tarpon Springs · 9 km
- Elfers · 11 km
- Westchase · 11 km
Frost dates recorded at TARPON SPGS SEWAGE PLT, 7 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 East Lake, FL — Frost Dates & Zone 10a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00088824. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/florida/east-lake.