Frost dates for ZIP 32502 (Pensacola, FL)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Pensacola Rgnl AP, FL (5 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)301 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
69°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 67°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Koptis Farms (29 mi), Brewton 3 NNE (52 mi), Perdido Riv Farms (52 mi).
4-inch depth
72°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 71°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Brewton 3 NNE (52 mi), Perdido Riv Farms (52 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 32502 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 72°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Southeast (warm, humid). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Centipedegrass (warm-season): Spring: Not before mid-May (NC State); after full green-up (about Apr 1 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Optional mid-summer feeding, especially on sandy coastal soils. Avoid: Early-spring feeding, frequent feeding and liming unless a soil test calls for it (centipede decline).
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall sowing Sep 30–Oct 28
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 14–Nov 4
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 14–Nov 4
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 14–Nov 11
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 30–Oct 28
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 28–Nov 11
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 28–Nov 25
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 28–Nov 25
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 9: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Jan 21 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 14 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 11 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Nov 17 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 9 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 10 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 2 | Nov 25 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 14 | Dec 9 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 31 | Jan 1 (next year) |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 32502
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 14) and first fall frost (Dec 9). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 6–20 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Aug 19–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 6–20 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Aug 19–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Jan 24–Feb 14 (transplant) Jan 17–Feb 28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–Nov 4 (transplant) Sep 30–Oct 28 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–Nov 4 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–Oct 14 (transplant) Sep 2–30 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Jan 17–Feb 14 (transplant) Jan 17–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–Oct 14 (transplant) Sep 2–30 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 6–20 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 6–20 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 6–20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | Sep 2–30 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Aug 19–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 17–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–Nov 11 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 17–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 3–17 | Jan 31–Feb 21 (transplant) Jan 31–Feb 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 17–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 24–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 10–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | Oct 28–Nov 11 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 17–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 24–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 20–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 28–Nov 25 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Oct 28–Nov 25 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 17–24 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 17–24 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 17–24 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 17–24 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 17–24 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 3–17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Feb 21–28 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 3–17 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 31–Feb 28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 6–20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 30–Oct 28 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Florida has a university or garden plant program: Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide. Plant frost-tender annuals after February 14 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Pensacola Rgnl AP, FL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00013899), elevation 112 ft, 5.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pensacola Forest Sherman NAS, FL | 7 mi | Feb 28 | Nov 29 |
| Pensacola 7 NNE, FL | 9 mi | Feb 17 | Dec 9 |
| Chactaw Nolf Milton, FL | 17 mi | Mar 1 | Nov 27 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 18 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 32502
When is the last frost in 32502?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 32502 is February 14. For a more cautious planting date, use March 11, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 32502?
The average first fall freeze is December 9. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 17.
What hardiness zone is 32502?
ZIP 32502 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 32502 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
32501 Pensacola 32503 Pensacola 32505 Brent 32511 Myrtle Grove 32512 Myrtle Grove 32504 Pensacola 32508 Pensacola Station 32509
Other ZIP codes in Escambia County
32501 32503 32504 32505 32506 32507 32508 32509 32511 32512 32514 32526 32533 32534 32535 32561 32568 32577 All Escambia County frost dates · Florida frost dates
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