Texas Frost Dates & Growing Season Guide
Texas (TX) spans USDA hardiness zones 8a, 8b, 9a, with growing seasons ranging from 243 days in El Paso to 298 days in Houston. The average growing season across the state is approximately 267 days.
Texas City Frost Dates
The table below shows the average last spring frost date, first fall frost date, growing season length, and USDA hardiness zone for each city. Click a city name for detailed planting calendars and zone information.
| City | Last Spring Frost | First Fall Frost | Growing Season | Zone | Min Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | February 10 | December 5 | 298 days | 9a | 20°F |
| Dallas | March 12 | November 17 | 250 days | 8a | 10°F |
| Austin | March 1 | November 25 | 269 days | 8b | 15°F |
| San Antonio | February 24 | November 28 | 277 days | 8b | 15°F |
| El Paso | March 14 | November 12 | 243 days | 8a | 10°F |
Planting Windows for Texas
Based on average frost dates, here are the recommended planting windows for each city. The indoor seed start date is approximately seven weeks before the last spring frost. Transplanting should occur about two weeks after the last frost. The last direct sow date for fall crops is ten weeks before the first fall frost.
| City | Start Seeds Indoors | Transplant After | Last Direct Sow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | December 23 | February 24 | September 26 |
| Dallas | January 23 | March 26 | September 8 |
| Austin | January 12 | March 15 | September 16 |
| San Antonio | January 6 | March 9 | September 19 |
| El Paso | January 25 | March 28 | September 3 |
Gardening in Texas
Texas is so large that it encompasses zones 6b to 9b, from the Panhandle's short growing season to the subtropical Rio Grande Valley. Houston and the Gulf Coast enjoy nearly year-round gardening with 298 frost-free days, while the Hill Country around Austin has a generous 269 days. Dallas in zone 8a sees occasional hard freezes that affect unprepared gardens. West Texas around El Paso is desert climate, requiring heavy irrigation. Central Texas soil is famously rocky alkaline limestone that challenges gardeners but drains well. Peppers, tomatoes, okra, and black-eyed peas are universal Texas garden crops. The state's extreme summer heat above 100 degrees means spring planting should happen early, and fall planting after the heat breaks is often more productive than summer gardening.
Understanding Texas's Hardiness Zones
Texas includes USDA hardiness zones 8a, 8b, 9a. These zones indicate the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature for each area, which determines which perennial plants, trees, and shrubs can survive winter without protection. When purchasing trees, shrubs, or perennial flowers, always check that the plant is rated for your hardiness zone or a lower (colder) zone number.
Tips for Using Texas Frost Dates
These frost dates represent long-term averages and should be treated as guidelines rather than guarantees. In any given year, the actual last spring frost or first fall frost may arrive one to three weeks earlier or later than the average. Factors that affect your specific location include elevation above the city center, proximity to water, slope direction, and whether you are in an urban or rural area. South-facing slopes and areas near large pavement or building masses tend to be warmer than surrounding open land. Low-lying valleys and exposed hilltops are often colder than mid-slope positions.
To protect against late spring frosts, keep row cover fabric, old bed sheets, or frost blankets on hand. Monitor your local weather forecast daily as the average frost date approaches. When frost is predicted after you have transplanted, covering plants in the late afternoon traps ground heat and can protect against temperatures down to about 28 degrees Fahrenheit. For fall season extension, the same covers protect mature plants from early frosts, often buying several additional weeks of harvest.