Planting dates for Tampa
Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at Tampa Intl Ap Gsn 72211, the official station 8 km from Tampa, Florida.
Sow and transplant events for the staples, straight from this page.
Key windows for Tampa (2026)
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | December 9 | January 27 |
| Pepper | November 25 | February 3 |
| Peas | – | December 16 |
| Lettuce | November 25 | December 23 |
| Carrot | – | December 30 |
| Bush beans | – | January 27 |
| Garlic | – | Fall planted |
| Potato | – | January 6 |
Mean-date planning windows, not guarantees; watch the local forecast at the shoulders. Method on the methodology page.
Tampa planting questions
When is the last frost in Tampa?
Around January 20, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at Tampa Intl Ap Gsn 72211, the official station 8 km from Tampa. Half of years see frost after the mean, so tender crops usually wait a week or more past it.
When can I plant tomatoes in Tampa?
Start seeds indoors around December 9 and transplant around January 27, once nights hold above 50F. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for Tampa.
How long is the growing season in Tampa?
About 365 frost-free days on average, from roughly January 20 to January 12. Crops whose days-to-maturity exceed that window need transplants, short-season varieties, or season extension.
How this page was made
Every date above is computed from the NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals at Tampa Intl Ap Gsn 72211: the 30-year mean dates of last spring and first fall frost, with crop offsets from standard horticultural practice. Full method and crop sources: data and methodology. These are planning averages, not forecasts: half of years frost later than the mean, so harden off transplants and watch the local forecast at the shoulders of the season.
More for Tampa: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 2697 stations.