Tampa Gardening Guide (2026)

Subtropical Gulf; warm-season lawns.

USDA zone
10
Typical last frost
12/31
Typical first frost
12/31

Quick answer (Tampa): Gardeners here work in about a 0-day frost-free window around zone 10. State context: Florida (zones 8–11). Start warm crops indoors ~6 weeks before the last frost of 12/31.

🌆 Tampa microclimate

  • Subtropical Gulf (9b-10a)
  • Hot humid summers, mild winters
  • Grow year-round

What to grow here, by environment

full sun
Tomato (spring/fall) · Pepper · Okra · Sweet potato
humid
Malabar spinach · Taro · Moringa · Ginger
coastal
Sea grape · Sabal palm · Bougainvillea
shade
Caladium · Philodendron · Ferns

Your Tampa planting calendar

Pre-filled with Tampa's frost dates. Choose a crop to print your plan.

In Florida (typical zone 811, last frost ≈ Dec 31, first frost ≈ Dec 31, 0-day season), your Tomato plan:

Start seeds indoors
Nov 19
Sow / transplant outdoors
Jan 14
First harvest
Mar 25
Spacing / depth
24″ / 0.25

Month-by-month (Florida, 2026)

MonthAction
JanSow · Transplant
Feb
MarHarvest
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
NovStart indoors
Dec

Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost; transplant after soil warms. Zones 313 suitable. Dates are typical; confirm with your county extension and watch the 10-day forecast.

Common pests near Tampa

Pre-filled to Florida. Pick a pest for signs, organic-first treatment, and a printable IPM card.

Fire Ant

Targets
Lawns, beds, people/pets
Signs
Mounded nests; painful sting.
Organic / IPM first
Broadcast beneficial nematodes; boiling water (small mounds); diatomaceous earth.
Chemical option (follow label)
Bait containing spinosad or hydramethylnon; treat entire yard.
Prevention
Two-step bait program in spring and fall; keep lawn healthy.

Crops that fit zone 10

Vegetables and herbs suited to your metro zone — open any for a state-specific planting card: