Milton Exp Stn, FL Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Milton Exp Stn garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 15
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 13
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
243 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 22 Mar 15 Apr 3
First fall frost Dec 2 Nov 13 Oct 30
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 1 · first Nov 24

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MILTON EXP STN station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Milton Exp Stn

Computed from Milton Exp Stn's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 18 – Feb 1 Mar 22 – Mar 29
🫑 Peppers Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 29 – Apr 5
🥬 Lettuce Feb 1 – Feb 15 Feb 15 – Mar 1 Feb 15 – Mar 15
🫛 Peas Feb 1 – Feb 15
🥕 Carrots Feb 22 – Mar 15
🥦 Broccoli Jan 25 – Feb 8 Feb 22 – Mar 8
🥬 Kale Feb 1 – Feb 15 Feb 15 – Mar 1 Feb 15 – Mar 1
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 15 – Feb 22 Mar 22 – Mar 29 Mar 22 – Mar 29
🥒 Zucchini Feb 15 – Feb 22 Mar 22 – Mar 29 Mar 22 – Mar 29
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 22 – Mar 29
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 22 – Mar 29
🌿 Basil Feb 1 – Feb 15 Mar 22 – Mar 29 Mar 29 – Apr 5
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 2 – Oct 30

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Milton Exp Stn's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Milton Exp Stn

With roughly 243 frost-free days, Milton Exp Stn gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 13 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Milton Exp Stn, FL?

The average last spring frost in Milton Exp Stn is around Mar 15, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Milton Exp Stn, FL?

The average first fall frost in Milton Exp Stn arrives around Nov 13. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Milton Exp Stn?

About 243 frost-free days on average, from Mar 15 to Nov 13. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Milton Exp Stn in?

USDA zone 9a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.