Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 32246 (Jacksonville, 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, Jacksonville Craig Muni AP, FL (3 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 950% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 3150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)314 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
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
77°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 74°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Brunswick 23 S (36 mi).
4-inch depth
78°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 77°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Brunswick 23 S (36 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 32246 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 78°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 20 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 Sep 24–Oct 22
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 8–Nov 5
- Collards: fall sowing Sep 24–Oct 22
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 8–Nov 5
- Broccoli: fall transplant Sep 24–Oct 22
- Cabbage: fall transplant Sep 24–Oct 22
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Sep 24–Oct 22
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 8–22
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 19
- Lettuce: fall transplant Nov 5–26
- Spinach: fall sowing Nov 5–26
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 5
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Nov 5–19
- Arugula: fall sowing Nov 5–Dec 3
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Nov 5–19
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 5
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 5
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 5
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 5
- Cilantro: 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 12 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 9 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 7 |
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 30 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 31 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 31 (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 1 | Dec 6 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 9 | Dec 31 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 26 | Jan 8 (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 32246
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 9) and first fall frost (Dec 31). 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 15–29 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 1–15 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 1 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 1–15 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 1 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 15–29 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 15–29 | Jan 19–Feb 9 (transplant) Jan 12–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–26 (transplant) Oct 22–Nov 19 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 29–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–26 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 15–29 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (transplant) Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 15–29 | Jan 12–Feb 9 (transplant) Jan 12–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (transplant) Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 1–15 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 1–15 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 1–15 | Jan 26–Feb 9 (transplant) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 1 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 15–29 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–19 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 12–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 12–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–19 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 29–Jan 12 | Jan 26–Feb 16 (transplant) Jan 26–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 12–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 5–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Nov 19–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 12–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 19–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 15–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 29–Jan 26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 19–Dec 17 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | Nov 19–Dec 17 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 10–24 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 12–19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 12–19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 12–19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 12–19 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 12–19 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 29–Jan 12 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Feb 16–23 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 29–Jan 12 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 26–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–19 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 1–15 | Jan 26–Feb 9 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–19 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Oct 22–Nov 19 (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 9 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Jacksonville Craig Muni AP, FL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00053860), elevation 41 ft, 3.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Beach, FL | 7 mi | Jan 31 | Jan 10 (next year) |
| Mayport Pilot STN, FL | 9 mi | Feb 1 | Jan 5 (next year) |
| Jacksonville NAS, FL | 10 mi | Feb 1 | Jan 5 (next year) |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 9 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 32246
When is the last frost in 32246?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 32246 is February 9. For a more cautious planting date, use March 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 32246?
The average first fall freeze is December 31. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 30.
What hardiness zone is 32246?
ZIP 32246 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 32246 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
32224 Jacksonville 32216 Jacksonville 32225 Jacksonville 32211 Jacksonville 32250 Jacksonville Beach 32266 Neptune Beach 32233 Jacksonville 32207 Jacksonville
Other ZIP codes in Duval County
32202 32203 32204 32205 32206 32207 32208 32209 32210 32211 32212 32214 32216 32217 32218 32219 32220 32221 32222 32223 32224 32225 32226 32227 All Duval County frost dates · Florida frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- 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.