When to plant in Panama City, FL
USDA Zone 9aPanama City, Florida frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
A generous ~300-day season lets Panama City gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. Zone 9a is warm enough that Panama City can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
PANAMA CITY 5N · 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 Panama City’s own odds, recorded at PANAMA CITY 5N.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 24 | Mar 2 | Feb 9 | Nov 6 | Nov 25 | Dec 18 |
| 32°F | Mar 11 | Feb 15 | Jan 13 | Nov 16 | Dec 12 | Jan 12 |
| 28°F | Feb 28 | Jan 31 | Dec 30 | Dec 1 | Jan 1 | 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 Panama City, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 28 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.
Panama City planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Panama City, FL?
Plan for the last spring frost in Panama City around February 15 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Panama City, FL?
In Panama City, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around December 12 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Panama City in?
Panama City is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. In zone 9a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Panama City?
There are roughly 300 frost-free days in Panama City (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around February 15 to the first fall frost near December 12.
When should I plant tomatoes in Panama City?
In Panama City, start tomato seeds indoors around December 21–January 4, then transplant seedlings outdoors around February 22 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Panama City
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Panama City’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Lynn Haven · 10 km
- Callaway · 12 km
- Upper Grand Lagoon · 22 km
- Panama City Beach · 33 km
- Destin · 92 km
- Niceville · 96 km
- Fort Walton Beach · 107 km
- Wright · 109 km
Frost dates recorded at PANAMA CITY 5N, 13 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 Panama City, FL — Frost Dates & Zone 9a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00086842. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/florida/panama-city.