Frost Dates for Abilene, TX 79605
Abilene has 6 ZIP codes. The Abilene, TX frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost March 28 · First fall frost November 12 · 229 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 79605 has about 28,500 people, one of 6 ZIP codes in Abilene.
Long season: 229 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 12–April 12 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 26–November 28 (33 days).
Frost probability for 79605
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 12 | March 28 | March 12 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 26 | November 12 | November 28 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ANSON (38.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 229-day season in Abilene
In Abilene (229 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 11. | Jul 13 |
| Pepper | Feb 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 11. | Jul 18 |
| Lettuce | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 21 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 271 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 7. | Sep 10 |
| Cucumber | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Beans | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Peas | — | Jan 31–Apr 11 | 292 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 292 available after Jan 31. | Sep 1 |
| Zucchini | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Onion | Jan 3 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 264 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 28. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 31–Mar 21 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 10 |
| Kale | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 264 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 28. | Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 278 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 28. | Sep 10 |
| Radish | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Oct 11 |
| Beets | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 250 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 12 | 334 | overwinter: Plant Nov 12 to Dec 3; harvest the following summer. | Dec 3 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 21–Apr 18 | 285 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 21; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 201 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 4. | Jul 25 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 11 | 194 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 11. | Jun 30 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 243 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 21. | Aug 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 14 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 10 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 278 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 28. | Aug 11 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 194 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 11. | Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 187 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 11. | Jul 23 |
| Okra | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Basil | Feb 21 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 28–Mar 21 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Parsley | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 229 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 4. | Aug 27 |
| Celery | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 229 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 4. | Jul 8 |
| Scallions | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 20 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 30 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 14–Feb 28 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 28 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 21 |
| Collards | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 20 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 187 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 11. | Jul 8 |
| Chives | Jan 3 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Oregano | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 243 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 243 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 3 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 229 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Sage | Jan 31 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 243 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 243 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Cosmos | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Lavender | Jan 3 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 250 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Melons | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 187 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 11. | Jul 8 |
| Mint | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 250 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 208 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 4. | Aug 11 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 11. | Jul 10 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 28. | Aug 6 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 31 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 194 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 4. | Jul 18 |
| Watermelon | Mar 14 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 4. | Jul 13 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Zinnias | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
Month by month in Abilene
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 3), Lavender (Jan 3), Onion (Jan 3), Rosemary (Jan 3), Celery (Jan 17), Collards (Jan 17), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 31), Beets (Jan 31), Dill (Jan 31), Peas (Jan 31), Radish (Jan 31), Spinach (Jan 31). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 7), Calendula (Feb 14), Cauliflower (Feb 14), Marigolds (Feb 14), Pepper (Feb 14), Basil (Feb 21), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 14), Cilantro (Feb 28), Turnip (Feb 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 28), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 28), Cabbage (Feb 28), Collards (Feb 28), Kale (Feb 28), Lettuce (Feb 28), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 21). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 7), Butternut Squash (Mar 14), Cantaloupe (Mar 14), Melons (Mar 14), Pumpkin (Mar 14), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 7), Potatoes (Mar 14), Sunflowers (Mar 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 14), Swiss Chard (Mar 14), Bok Choy (Mar 21), Cauliflower (Mar 21), Cosmos (Mar 28), Lavender (Mar 28), +4 more. Last frost around March 28. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 4), Pole Beans (Apr 4). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 4), Chives (Apr 4), Corn (Apr 4), Okra (Apr 4), Oregano (Apr 4), Parsley (Apr 4), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 30), Pumpkin (Jun 30). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 8), Celery (Jul 8), Melons (Jul 8), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 10), Tomato (Jul 13), Watermelon (Jul 13), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 6), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 11), Pole Beans (Aug 11), Basil (Aug 16), Cosmos (Aug 16), Cucumber (Aug 16), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Peas (Sep 1), Cabbage (Sep 10), Carrots (Sep 10), Beets (Sep 11), Dill (Sep 11), Swiss Chard (Sep 11), +9 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 10), Spinach (Oct 10), Radish (Oct 11). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 12). First frost around November 12. |
| December | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 3). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Abilene, TX (ZIP 79605)?
The median last spring frost date for Abilene, TX (ZIP code 79605) is around March 28. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 12; one in ten it runs past April 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Abilene, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Abilene, TX is around November 12. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 26 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Abilene, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Abilene is about 229 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Abilene (229 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Abilene, TX?
Abilene, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Abilene, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 21 and plant out Apr 11 in Abilene. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Abilene?
Two: plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 19.
When do I plant garlic in Abilene?
Nov 12 to Dec 3; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Abilene?
Yes: plant out Apr 11 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 13 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Comanche (ZIP 76442) has 240 frost-free days, 11 more than Abilene (ZIP 79605). See Comanche ZIP 76442 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Abilene, TX 79606 (6.2 mi)
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- Frost dates for Comanche, TX 76442 (77.8 mi)
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