When to plant in Winter Haven, FL
USDA Zone 10aWinter Haven, Florida frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
A ~-5-day frost-free window makes Winter Haven a short-season garden: choose early varieties and start long-season crops indoors well ahead of the last frost. In zone 10a, frost is a minor factor for Winter Haven — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
The average first fall frost in Winter Haven is now 6 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
WINTER HAVEN GILBERT 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 Winter Haven’s own odds, recorded at WINTER HAVEN GILBERT AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Feb 24 | Jan 25 | Dec 31 | Dec 15 | Jan 8 | Feb 3 |
| 32°F | Feb 7 | Jan 15 | Dec 30 | Dec 25 | Jan 10 | Feb 5 |
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 Winter Haven, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 18 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.
Winter Haven planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Winter Haven, FL?
Plan for the last spring frost in Winter Haven around January 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 Winter Haven, FL?
The first fall frost in Winter Haven typically arrives around January 10 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Winter Haven in?
Winter Haven is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. In zone 10a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Winter Haven?
Winter Haven has about -5 frost-free days — a short growing season — between the average last spring frost (January 15) and first fall frost (January 10).
When should I plant tomatoes in Winter Haven?
For Winter Haven, sow tomatoes indoors about November 20–December 4 and move the seedlings out around January 22, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Winter Haven
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Winter Haven’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Cypress Gardens · 6 km
- Auburndale · 10 km
- Haines City · 14 km
- Highland City · 17 km
- Davenport · 18 km
- Lake Wales · 19 km
- Bartow · 20 km
- Lakeland · 22 km
Frost dates recorded at WINTER HAVEN GILBERT AP, 3 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 Winter Haven, FL — Frost Dates & Zone 10a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00012876. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/florida/winter-haven.