Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 33503 (Balm, 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, Tampa Bay Area WFO, FL (9 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 54% 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 2050% 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)357 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
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 33503 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 Feb 28 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 Oct 28–Nov 11
- 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 Oct 28–Nov 11
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 31–Nov 14
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
- 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 20 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 16 |
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 19 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Jan 9 (next year) |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 7 (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 3 | Jan 1 (next year) |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 20 | Jan 9 (next year) |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 17 | Jan 14 (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 33503
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 20) 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 | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | Sep 12–Oct 10 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 11–25 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 19–Oct 10 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 11–25 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 19–Oct 10 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Dec 30–Jan 20 (transplant) Dec 23–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Nov 14–Dec 5 (transplant) Oct 31–Nov 28 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Nov 14–Dec 5 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) Dec 23–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–Nov 14 (transplant) Oct 3–31 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Dec 23–Jan 20 (transplant) Dec 23–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–Nov 14 (transplant) Oct 3–31 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 11–25 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | Oct 3–31 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 11–25 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | Oct 3–31 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 11–25 | Jan 6–20 (transplant) | Oct 3–31 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | Sep 19–Oct 10 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) Dec 23–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 31–Nov 14 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 23–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Nov 14–28 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 23–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Nov 14–Dec 12 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 23–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | Nov 14–28 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 9–23 | Jan 6–27 (transplant) Jan 6–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 31–Nov 14 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 23–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 31–Nov 14 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 30–Jan 27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–31 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 16–Jan 27 (sow outdoors) | Nov 28–Dec 12 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 23–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 31–Nov 14 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 30–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 25–Dec 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–31 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 9–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 31–Nov 14 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 28–Dec 26 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | Nov 28–Dec 26 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–31 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 10–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 23–30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–31 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 23–30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–31 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 23–30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 23–30 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 23–30 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 9–23 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Jan 27–Feb 3 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 9–23 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 6–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Nov 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 11–25 | Jan 6–20 (transplant) Dec 30–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Nov 14–28 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 23–Jan 6 (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 20 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Tampa Bay Area WFO, FL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00088782), elevation 40 ft, 8.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parrish, FL | 12 mi | Jan 28 | Jan 9 (next year) |
| Ft Green 12 WSW, FL | 16 mi | Feb 6 | Jan 3 (next year) |
| Plant City, FL | 20 mi | Jan 30 | Jan 6 (next year) |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 17 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 33503
When is the last frost in 33503?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 33503 is January 20. For a more cautious planting date, use February 16, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 33503?
The average first fall freeze is January 9 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 19.
What hardiness zone is 33503?
ZIP 33503 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 33503 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
33579 Riverview 33598 Wimauma 33569 Riverview 33573 Sun City Center 33534 Gibsonton 33572 Apollo Beach 33578 Riverview 33547 Fish Hawk
Other ZIP codes in Hillsborough County
33510 33511 33527 33530 33534 33547 33548 33549 33550 33556 33558 33559 33563 33565 33566 33567 33569 33570 33572 33573 33578 33579 33584 33592 All Hillsborough 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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- Weekly yard to-dos
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.