Fall in zone 10bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 33946 (Rotonda, 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, Punta Gorda 4 ESE, FL (18 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 42% of years (about 1 freezing night(s) a year on average). The dates below describe freeze timing for the station's record; in many years there may be no 32°F freeze at all.
- Average last spring frostJan 2150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostJan 14 (next year)50% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)year-round in a typical yearmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone10b35 to 40°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Freezes are uncommon here, so frost-based timing is rough. Local extension calendars for frost-free areas use months.
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
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 33946 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring late January to mid-February (south Florida: earlier; check local soil temps); fall October to early November.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Gulf Coast and peninsular Florida. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- St. Augustinegrass (warm-season): Spring: About 2–3 weeks after full green-up (May in the Carolinas; earlier in Florida and south Texas) (about Mar 1 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Light feedings June–August where local rules allow; Last: No later than about mid-September in the Carolinas, about 6–8 weeks before first frost elsewhere. Avoid: Feeding before green-up or late in fall (feeds weeds and favors large patch and cold injury).
Plant now
- Kale: fall sowing Oct 8–Nov 5
- Collards: fall sowing Oct 8–Nov 5
- Broccoli: fall transplant Oct 8–Nov 5
- Cabbage: fall transplant Oct 8–Nov 5
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Oct 8–Nov 5
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Lettuce: fall sowing Nov 5–Dec 3
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 22–Nov 19
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 22–Nov 19
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 29–Nov 12
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Nov 5–19
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Nov 5–19
- Beet: fall sowing Nov 5–19
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 5
- Turnip: fall sowing Nov 5–19
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 5
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 29–Nov 12
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Nov 5–19
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
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 1 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 21 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 14 |
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) | Dec 27 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Jan 14 (next year) |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 9 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Feb 1 | Jan 10 (next year) |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 21 | Jan 14 (next year) |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | n/a | n/a |
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 33946
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 21) and first fall frost (Jan 14). 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 | Nov 26–Dec 10 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) | Sep 17–Oct 15 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 12–26 | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | Sep 24–Oct 15 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 12–26 | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | Sep 24–Oct 15 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 26–Dec 10 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 26–Dec 10 | Dec 31–Jan 21 (transplant) Dec 24–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Nov 19–Dec 10 (transplant) Nov 5–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 10–31 (sow outdoors) | Nov 19–Dec 10 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 26–Dec 10 | Dec 24–Jan 7 (transplant) Dec 24–Jan 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 19 (transplant) Oct 8–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 26–Dec 10 | Dec 24–Jan 21 (transplant) Dec 24–Jan 21 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 19 (transplant) Oct 8–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 12–26 | Dec 24–Jan 7 (transplant) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 12–26 | Dec 24–Jan 7 (transplant) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 12–26 | Jan 7–21 (transplant) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 29–Nov 12 | Dec 24–Jan 7 (transplant) | Sep 24–Oct 15 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 26–Dec 10 | Dec 24–Jan 7 (transplant) Dec 24–Jan 7 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–19 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 24–Jan 7 (sow outdoors) | Nov 19–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 24–Jan 21 (sow outdoors) | Nov 19–Dec 17 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 24–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | Nov 19–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 10–24 | Jan 7–28 (transplant) Jan 7–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–19 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 24–Jan 21 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–19 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 31–Jan 28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 17–Jan 28 (sow outdoors) | Dec 3–17 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 24–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–19 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 31–Jan 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 26–Dec 24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 29–Nov 12 | Dec 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 10–Jan 7 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–19 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 29–Nov 12 | Dec 24–Jan 7 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Dec 3–31 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 10–24 (transplant) | Dec 3–31 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 24–Jan 7 (transplant) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 28–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 28–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 28–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 11–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 24–31 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 28–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 24–31 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 28–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 24–31 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 28–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 28–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 24–31 | Feb 4–18 (transplant) Feb 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 24–31 | Feb 4–18 (transplant) Feb 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 10–24 | Feb 4–18 (transplant) Feb 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 29–Nov 12 | Jan 28–Feb 4 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 10–24 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 28–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 7–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Nov 19–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 12–26 | Jan 7–21 (transplant) Dec 31–Jan 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Nov 19–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 24–Jan 7 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 24–Jan 7 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 24–Jan 7 (transplant) | Nov 5–Dec 3 (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 January 21 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Punta Gorda 4 ESE, FL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00087397), elevation 20 ft, 18.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punta Gorda Charlotte Co AP, FL | 18 mi | Jan 22 | Jan 10 (next year) |
| Venice, FL | 20 mi | Jan 25 | Jan 19 (next year) |
| Myakka Rvr Sp, FL | 27 mi | Feb 1 | Jan 6 (next year) |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 11 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 33946
When is the last frost in 33946?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 33946 is January 21. For a more cautious planting date, use February 14, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 33946?
The average first fall freeze is January 14 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 27.
What hardiness zone is 33946?
ZIP 33946 is in USDA zone 10b (35 to 40°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 33946 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
33947 Rotonda 33981 34224 Englewood 33921 34223 Englewood 33953 33948 Port Charlotte 34293 North Port
Other ZIP codes in Charlotte County
33947 33948 33950 33952 33953 33954 33955 33980 33981 33982 33983 34224 All Charlotte County frost dates · Florida frost dates
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.