When to plant in On Top of the World, FL
USDA Zone 9aOn Top of the World, Florida frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
On Top of the World enjoys a long ~290-day frost-free season — you can succession-sow, fit in a second crop, and grow long-season heat-lovers with room to spare. On Top of the World's nearest full-normals station sits about 21 km out, so treat these as a close estimate — local microclimate can nudge your first and last frost. Zone 9a is warm enough that On Top of the World can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
The average first fall frost in On Top of the World is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
OCALA · 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 On Top of the World’s own odds, recorded at OCALA.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 1 | Mar 12 | Feb 18 | Nov 8 | Nov 27 | Dec 24 |
| 32°F | Mar 21 | Feb 25 | Jan 24 | Nov 21 | Dec 12 | Jan 14 |
| 28°F | Mar 7 | Feb 4 | Jan 2 | Dec 3 | Jan 3 | Feb 7 |
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 On Top of the World, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
2 within 34 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.
On Top of the World planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in On Top of the World, FL?
On average, the last spring frost in On Top of the World is around February 25 (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 On Top of the World, FL?
Expect On Top of the World's first fall frost near December 12 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is On Top of the World in?
On Top of the World is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. In zone 9a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in On Top of the World?
There are roughly 290 frost-free days in On Top of the World (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around February 25 to the first fall frost near December 12.
When should I plant tomatoes in On Top of the World?
In On Top of the World, start tomato seeds indoors around December 31–January 14, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 4 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in On Top of the World
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to On Top of the World’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Liberty Triangle · 7 km
- Marion Oaks · 15 km
- Ocala · 15 km
- Citrus Springs · 21 km
- Silver Springs Shores · 26 km
- Pine Ridge · 27 km
- The Villages · 37 km
- Lady Lake · 40 km
Frost dates recorded at OCALA, 21 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 On Top of the World, FL — Frost Dates & Zone 9a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00086414. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/florida/on-top-of-the-world.