Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 34731 (Fruitland Park, 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, Leesburg Muni AP, FL (6 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 67% of years (about 2 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 2650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostJan 9 (next year)50% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)346 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°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
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 70°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Sellers Lake #1 (23 mi).
4-inch depth
77°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Sellers Lake #1 (23 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 34731 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 77°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): not yet. Apply as soil cools toward 70°F (typically 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 6 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 3–31
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 17–Nov 14
- Collards: fall sowing Oct 3–31
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 17–Nov 14
- Broccoli: fall transplant Oct 3–31
- Cabbage: fall transplant Oct 3–31
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Oct 3–31
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 17–31
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 17–31
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 17–31
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 17–31
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 17–31
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 31–Nov 28
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Nov 3–17
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 31–Nov 14
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 31–Nov 14
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 31–Nov 14
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 31–Nov 14
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Nov 3–17
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 31–Nov 14
- Leek: start seeds indoors Nov 3–17
- Celery: start seeds indoors Nov 3–17
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 31–Nov 28
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) | Dec 31 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 26 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 21 |
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 17 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Jan 9 (next year) |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 5 (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 6 | Dec 30 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 26 | Jan 9 (next year) |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 17 | Jan 13 (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 34731
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 26) and first fall frost (Jan 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 1–15 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | Sep 12–Oct 10 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) | Sep 19–Oct 10 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) | Sep 19–Oct 10 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 1–15 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 1–15 | Jan 5–26 (transplant) Dec 29–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Nov 14–Dec 5 (transplant) Oct 31–Nov 28 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 15–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | Nov 14–Dec 5 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 1–15 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) Dec 29–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–Nov 14 (transplant) Oct 3–31 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 1–15 | Dec 29–Jan 26 (transplant) Dec 29–Jan 26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–Nov 14 (transplant) Oct 3–31 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | Oct 3–31 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | Oct 3–31 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Oct 3–31 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 3–17 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | Sep 19–Oct 10 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 1–15 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) Dec 29–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 31–Nov 14 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 29–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Nov 14–28 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 29–Jan 26 (sow outdoors) | Nov 14–Dec 12 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 29–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Nov 14–28 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 15–29 | Jan 12–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 12–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 31–Nov 14 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 29–Jan 26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 31–Nov 14 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 5–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–31 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 22–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Nov 28–Dec 12 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 29–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 31–Nov 14 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–31 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 3–17 | Dec 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 15–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 31–Nov 14 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 3–17 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 28–Dec 26 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 15–29 (transplant) | Nov 28–Dec 26 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–31 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 16–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 29–Jan 5 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–31 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 29–Jan 5 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–31 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 29–Jan 5 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 29–Jan 5 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 29–Jan 5 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 15–29 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 3–17 | Feb 2–9 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 15–29 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 12–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Nov 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 26–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Nov 14–28 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 26–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | Oct 31–Nov 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 January 26 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Leesburg Muni AP, FL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00012819), elevation 77 ft, 6.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon, FL | 7 mi | Feb 2 | Jan 3 (next year) |
| Bushnell 1 E, FL | 18 mi | Mar 2 | Dec 5 |
| Mt Plymouth 1SSW, FL | 22 mi | Feb 24 | Dec 29 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 38 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 34731
When is the last frost in 34731?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 34731 is January 26. For a more cautious planting date, use February 21, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 34731?
The average first fall freeze is January 9 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 17.
What hardiness zone is 34731?
ZIP 34731 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 34731 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
32159 Lady Lake 32163 Wildwood 34788 Leesburg 34748 Leesburg 32162 The Villages 34762 Leesburg 32195 32735 Eustis
Other ZIP codes in Lake County
32102 32159 32702 32726 32735 32736 32757 32767 32776 32778 34705 34711 34714 34715 34729 34736 34737 34748 34753 34756 34762 34788 34797 All Lake County frost dates · Florida frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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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.