Local planting guide · Southeast
zip 33615
Tampa is in USDA hardiness zone 10a, with average winter lows of 30°F to 35°F. The local growing season runs roughly 01/20 through 01/12 (~365 days). This zip falls within the Southeast growing region.
- USDA zone
- 10a 30°F to 35°F
- Last spring frost
- 01/20
- First fall frost
- 01/12
- Growing season
- 365 days
- Compatible crops
- 28
- Growing region
- Southeast
Right now in Tampa
Week 18 priorities
On the docket: transplant out after last frost · direct sow after last frost. See the full calendar →
Gardening in Tampa
Tampa's year-round gardening calendar is dominated by heat and humidity rather than frost. With a 365-day growing season and a last spring frost around January 20, traditional frost concerns are minimal except for occasional dips below 30°F in December or January. The real challenge is managing crops through the hot, humid summer months (May through September) and selecting appropriate varieties that tolerate both tropical conditions and the rare hard freeze. The region's humidity supports thriving populations of fungal pathogens, whiteflies, and scale insects; dormancy provides no seasonal reset.
Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and goji berries establish reliably in Tampa and produce abundantly with proper variety selection. These crops are adapted to the zone's heat and tolerate occasional freeze damage better than most temperate fruit trees. Warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants thrive when planted for spring (February through April) or fall harvest (August through October), though summer heat and humidity often suppress productivity from June through August.
Success in Tampa requires embracing the year-round calendar: cool-season crops November through April, warm-season crops February through May and August through October, with strategic summer management focused on disease control rather than heat protection.
Regional context · Southeast
What the Southeast brings to Tampa
Hot, humid, long growing season. Disease-resistant variety selection is the difference between a productive and a failed planting. Strong region for muscadines, blueberries, peaches, persimmons, figs, and warm-season vegetables.
Common challenges
Issues that most often defeat home gardeners in zone 10a, drawn from the broader USDA zone profile.
- ▸ No chilling for traditional temperate fruit
- ▸ Hurricane exposure
- ▸ Heat-tolerant cultivars only
What defeats new gardeners in Tampa
Fungal diseases proliferate in Tampa's summer humidity, particularly on susceptible fruiting plants like fig and apple varieties. Powdery mildew, anthracnose, and rust are common from July through September. Occasional hard freezes, though rare, can damage young trees or tender growth if they occur unexpectedly in December or early January. The region's naturally alkaline soil can cause nutrient deficiencies (particularly iron and manganese) in acid-loving plants like blueberries. Year-round pest pressure, especially whiteflies, scale insects, and spider mites, demands regular monitoring and management; dormancy is not available as a natural break point.
Crops that grow in Tampa
28 crops from our catalog match zone 10a, grouped by type.
Tree fruit
12 crops
zone 10a Fig
Ficus carica
zones 7a–10b
zone 10a Asian Persimmon
Diospyros kaki
zones 7a–10a
zone 10a Pomegranate
Punica granatum
zones 7b–10a
zone 10a Lemon
Citrus limon
zones 9a–11b
zone 10a Orange
Citrus sinensis
zones 9a–11b
zone 10a Lime
Citrus aurantiifolia
zones 9b–11b
zone 10a Grapefruit
Citrus paradisi
zones 9a–11b
zone 10a Avocado
Persea americana
zones 9b–11b
Berries
3 crops
Nuts
1 crop
Vegetables
10 crops
zone 10a Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
zones 3a–10b
zone 10a Sweet Pepper
Capsicum annuum
zones 4a–10b
zone 10a Hot Pepper
Capsicum species
zones 4a–10b
zone 10a Eggplant
Solanum melongena
zones 5a–10b
zone 10a Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
zones 3b–10a
zone 10a Summer Squash
Cucurbita pepo
zones 3b–10a
zone 10a Melon
Cucumis melo
zones 5a–10a
zone 10a Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
zones 5b–10a
Herbs
2 crops
Plan the year
Planting calendar for Tampa
Year-view of seed starting, transplanting, planting, pruning, fertilizing, harvest, and pest-watch windows tuned to Tampa's local frost dates.
Week ? · loading
This week in Tampa, FL (zone 10a)
Quiet week in Tampa, FL (zone 10a). this week is a good time to step back and plan ahead.
Nothing critical on the calendar this week.
147 bars · 28 crops
Calendar logic combines NOAA frost normals with crop-specific timing data. Local microclimate and weather always overrules the calendar; use this as a starting point.
Top pests for zone 10a
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for IPM controls and signs to watch for.
Pseudococcidae spp.
Soft white waxy insects that cluster at leaf joints, fruit stems, and root crowns. Honeydew secretion supports sooty mold; root mealybugs cause decline that mimics drought.
Meloidogyne species
Microscopic soil-dwelling worm that forms galls on roots, reducing vigor and yield.
Multiple species (Aphididae)
Small soft-bodied sap-sucking insects that reproduce explosively in spring. Excrete honeydew that supports sooty mold and attracts ants. Transmit viral diseases.
Multiple species (Aleyrodidae)
Tiny white moth-like flying insects that feed on plant sap and excrete honeydew. Transmit numerous viral diseases including tomato yellow leaf curl virus.
Coccoidea spp.
Sap-sucking insects that attach to bark, leaves, and fruit, secreting honeydew that fuels sooty mold. Heavy infestations weaken trees and cause leaf yellowing.
Tetranychus urticae
Tiny mite that feeds on leaf undersides, causing stippling and webbing during hot dry weather.
Ceratitis capitata
Quarantine pest in many regions. Adult females puncture ripening fruit to lay eggs; larvae tunnel through the flesh, causing premature drop and rot.
Multiple species (Chrysomelidae)
Tiny black or bronze jumping beetles that put hundreds of small holes in seedling leaves. Most damaging on direct-seeded brassicas and young eggplant.
Top diseases for zone 10a
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for symptoms, controls, and resistant varieties.
Capnodium spp.
Black fungal coating that grows on honeydew secreted by aphids, scale, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Doesn't infect plant tissue directly but blocks photosynthesis and disfigures fruit.
Cucumber mosaic virus, Tobacco mosaic virus, and others
Family of plant viruses producing mottled yellow-and-green leaf patterns. Vectored primarily by aphids; some are seed-transmitted or spread by handling tools and tobacco products.
Calcium deficiency physiological disorder
Not a true disease but a calcium-uptake disorder caused by inconsistent soil moisture during fruit development. The dominant cause of damaged first-fruit on home tomato plantings.
Sclerotium rolfsii
Soil-borne fungal disease most damaging in warm humid Southern conditions. White mycelial fans and small mustard-seed-sized sclerotia at the soil line are diagnostic.
Pythium and Rhizoctonia species
Soil-borne complex of water molds and fungi that kill seedlings before or shortly after emergence. The single most common cause of seed-starting failures.
Fusarium oxysporum
Soil-borne fungal disease that plugs vascular tissue and kills affected plants. Persists in soil for many years; impossible to eliminate once established.
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
Most damaging mango disease worldwide. Fungal spores infect blossoms and developing fruit during humid weather, producing black sunken lesions that expand on ripening fruit.
Multiple species (Erysiphales)
Surface-feeding fungal disease producing white powdery growth on leaves and stems. Reduces yield by stealing photosynthate and accelerating senescence.
Companion planting suggestions
Beneficial pairings drawn from companion data, filtered to crops that grow in zone 10a.
- Fig + Rosemary
Rosemary tolerates the dry sites figs prefer and provides aromatic pest deterrence.
- Tomato + Basil
The classic Italian pairing. Basil's volatile oils are reported to repel hornworms and whiteflies, and the two crops share the same warm-season schedule and water needs. Plant basil between tomato cages.
- Sweet Pepper + Basil
Same warm-season culture, same watering schedule. Basil reportedly improves pepper flavor and repels aphids and thrips that are pepper's primary pests.
- Hot Pepper + Basil
Compatible heat-loving culture, similar water needs. Basil interplanted between hot pepper plants supports beneficial insects and reduces aphid pressure.
- Okra + Hot Pepper
Both heat-loving warm-season crops with similar water and fertility needs. Hot pepper at okra's base benefits from the slight afternoon shade in extreme summer heat.
Soil types reference
Soil texture and pH decide what grows easily on your specific lot. Find the closest match below for crop recommendations and amendment guidance.
Practical tips for Tampa
Plant frost-sensitive trees and shrubs (figs, pomegranates, Asian persimmons) in spring (February through April) to establish deep roots before summer stress; despite the 365-day season, spring planting gives new plants the best chance to develop before peak heat. Grow tomatoes and peppers as cool-season crops: succession plant in late August and September for a productive fall and early winter harvest, then replant again in late winter (January through March) after summer decline. Use overhead irrigation or mulch strategically during the January frost risk period; a 30 to 35°F minimum can damage established trees only in extreme circumstances, but young plantings and tender new growth are vulnerable.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the best time to plant tomatoes in Tampa?
Late August through September for a fall and winter harvest (the most reliable season). February through April for a spring crop. Avoid planting tomatoes in summer (May through July) as heat and humidity cause disease and poor fruit set.
- Can I garden year-round in Tampa?
Essentially yes. With a 365-day growing season and a last spring frost around January 20, most crops can grow in some form throughout the year. Cool-season crops like leafy greens and brassicas thrive September through May; warm-season crops like peppers and eggplants excel in spring and fall.
- When should I worry about frost damage in Tampa?
Hard freezes below 30°F are rare and typically occur only in December or early January. Monitor the forecast in winter; tender young plants and newly planted trees are at highest risk. Established hardwood trees rarely suffer damage unless temperatures drop below 20°F.
- Why do figs and pomegranates do so well in Tampa?
Both crops are heat and humidity tolerant and produce prolifically with minimal pest pressure compared to stone fruits. Figs especially thrive in zone 10a's warm, consistent temperatures and year-round growing season.
- How do I handle the humid summers?
Choose disease-resistant varieties for high-humidity crops. Ensure good air circulation with proper spacing and pruning. Water at the base of plants rather than overhead to reduce leaf wetness. Fungal diseases peak July through September; monitor closely and remove affected foliage promptly.
- What should I plant in Tampa's winter?
Leafy greens, brassicas, root crops, and cool-season herbs like cilantro grow reliably from November through April. Tomatoes and peppers planted in late August and September will be productive through early February. Avoid planting anything demanding in December or January due to frost risk to new growth.
+−
+−
+−
+−
+−
+−
Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00012842. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
Related