Frost calendar — 2026
Frost dates for USDA Zone 12
Last spring & first fall frost · Hawaii (lowland), Puerto Rico (parts) · 365-day growing season
Zone 12 frost-date table
| Average last spring frost | no frost |
|---|---|
| Average first fall frost | no frost |
| Frost-free growing days | ~365 days |
| Average annual minimum temperature | 50 to 60°F (10 to 16°C) |
| Typical regions | Hawaii (lowland), Puerto Rico (parts) |
Frost-date averages: NOAA Climate Data Online national averages within USDA Zone 12. Local ZIP-code-precise dates can vary by one to three weeks from these zone midpoints.
What the frost dates mean for planting in Zone 12
The last spring frost is your green light for tender crops; the first fall frost is the deadline that ends the warm-season harvest. Heat-sensitive temperate crops fail. The growing constraint is heat tolerance, not cold tolerance.
Tender crops to sow after Zone 12's last frost
- When to plant tomatoes in Zone 12 — sow about 10 days after the last frost.
- When to plant peppers in Zone 12 — sow about 14 days after the last frost.
- When to plant basil in Zone 12 — sow about 7 days after the last frost.
- When to plant bush beans in Zone 12 — sow about 10 days after the last frost.
- When to plant cucumbers in Zone 12 — sow about 14 days after the last frost.
- When to plant summer squash in Zone 12 — sow about 14 days after the last frost.
Hardy crops (peas, lettuce, carrots) can go in two to five weeks before the last spring frost — they tolerate light cold that would kill the tender list above.
How to use these dates
- Anchor your spring planting to the last frost. Count backwards to start seeds indoors, and forward to time transplanting tender crops outside.
- Anchor your fall wind-down to the first frost. Stop sowing anything that cannot mature before that date, and start harvesting or covering tender crops two weeks ahead.
- Adjust for your microclimate. A south-facing wall, urban heat, or a frost pocket shifts these zone averages by one to three weeks — track your own first and last frosts each year.
- Get a ZIP-precise estimate. Run the frost-date calculator for dates closer to your exact location.
Want exact frost dates for your address?
These are Zone 12 averages. Growli pins your frost dates to your ZIP code or postcode and sends a push notification 24–48 hours before any forecast frost night for your saved location.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last spring frost in USDA Zone 12?
USDA Zone 12 has effectively no spring frost — it is a frost-free climate (Hawaii (lowland), Puerto Rico (parts)). Cold protection is rarely needed, and tender crops can go out almost any time of year.
When is the first fall frost in USDA Zone 12?
USDA Zone 12 does not experience a reliable fall frost. The growing constraint here is summer heat, not cold — see the climate notes below.
How long is the growing season in Zone 12?
USDA Zone 12 has roughly 365 frost-free growing days between the average last spring frost and the average first fall frost. Tropical lowland. Heat-adapted plants only.
What can I plant after the last frost in Zone 12?
Tender warm-season crops go out once Zone 12's last frost has passed: tomatoes, peppers, basil, bush beans, cucumbers, summer squash. Hardy crops like peas, lettuce, and carrots can go in weeks before the last frost.
Are these frost dates exact for my address?
No — these are zone-wide 30-year averages from NOAA Climate Data Online. Local microclimates (south-facing slopes, urban heat, frost pockets, lakeside warmth) can shift your real dates by one to three weeks. Use the Growli frost-date calculator with your ZIP code for a closer estimate.