Frost Dates for Austin, TX 78721
Austin has 44 ZIP codes. The Austin, TX frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 24 · First fall frost November 28 · 277 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 78721 has about 11,000 people, one of 44 ZIP codes in Austin.
Very long season: 277 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 1–March 20 (47 days). Fall frost risk spans November 7–December 19 (42 days).
Frost probability for 78721
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 20 | February 24 | February 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 7 | November 28 | December 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ELGIN 1 N (31.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 277-day season in Austin
In Austin (277 frost-free days, a very 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 | Jan 20 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 235 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 10. | Jul 29 |
| Pepper | Jan 13 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 235 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 10. | Aug 3 |
| Lettuce | Dec 30 | Jan 27–Feb 3 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 7 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 319 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 319 available after Feb 3. | Sep 26 |
| Cucumber | Feb 3 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Beans | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
| Peas | — | Dec 30–Mar 10 | 340 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 340 available after Dec 30. | Sep 17 |
| Zucchini | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Onion | Dec 2 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 312 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 312 available after Jan 27. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 30–Feb 17 | 354 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 26 |
| Kale | Dec 16 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 11 |
| Broccoli | Dec 30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 312 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 312 available after Jan 27. | Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Dec 30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 326 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 326 available after Jan 27. | Sep 26 |
| Radish | — | Dec 30–Mar 24 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 27 |
| Beets | — | Dec 30–Mar 24 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 27 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 298 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 28 | 382 | overwinter: Plant Nov 28 to Dec 19; harvest the following summer. | Dec 19 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 20–Mar 17 | 333 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 20; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 27 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 249 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 3. | Aug 10 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 10 | 242 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 10. | Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 13 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 291 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 17. | Sep 7 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 30 | Feb 10–Feb 10 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 27 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 30–Mar 24 | 354 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 326 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 326 available after Jan 27. | Aug 27 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 242 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 10. | Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Jan 6 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 235 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 10. | Aug 8 |
| Okra | Jan 27 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Basil | Jan 20 | Mar 17–Mar 17 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 27–Feb 17 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 2 |
| Parsley | Dec 16 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 277 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 277 available after Mar 3. | Sep 12 |
| Celery | Dec 16 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 277 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 277 available after Mar 3. | Jul 24 |
| Scallions | Dec 16 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 6 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 11 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 27 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 7 |
| Collards | Dec 16 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 235 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 10. | Jul 24 |
| Chives | Dec 2 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 291 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 291 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 30–Mar 24 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 27 |
| Oregano | Dec 16 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 291 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 291 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 2 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 277 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 277 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Sage | Dec 30 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 291 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 291 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 16 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 291 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 291 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 13 | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 2 |
| Cosmos | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Lavender | Dec 2 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 298 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 13 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Melons | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 235 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 10. | Jul 24 |
| Mint | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 298 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 256 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 3. | Aug 27 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 242 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 10. | Jul 26 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 263 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 24. | Aug 22 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 30 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 242 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 3. | Aug 3 |
| Watermelon | Feb 10 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 242 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 3. | Jul 29 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Zinnias | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
Month by month in Austin
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Eggplant (Jan 6), Calendula (Jan 13), Cauliflower (Jan 13), Marigolds (Jan 13), Pepper (Jan 13), Basil (Jan 20), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Jan 13), Cilantro (Jan 27), Turnip (Jan 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 27), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 27), Cabbage (Jan 27), Collards (Jan 27), Kale (Jan 27), Lettuce (Jan 27), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 20). |
| February | Start indoors: Cucumber (Feb 3), Butternut Squash (Feb 10), Cantaloupe (Feb 10), Melons (Feb 10), Pumpkin (Feb 10), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 10), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Feb 3), Potatoes (Feb 10), Sunflowers (Feb 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 10), Swiss Chard (Feb 10), Bok Choy (Feb 17), Cauliflower (Feb 17), Cosmos (Feb 24), Lavender (Feb 24), +4 more. Last frost around February 24. |
| March | Direct sow from: Beans (Mar 3), Pole Beans (Mar 3). Transplant from: Celery (Mar 3), Chives (Mar 3), Corn (Mar 3), Okra (Mar 3), Oregano (Mar 3), Parsley (Mar 3), +17 more. |
| April | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| May | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| June | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 16), Pumpkin (Jul 16), Cantaloupe (Jul 24), Celery (Jul 24), Melons (Jul 24), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 26), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 3), Tomatillos (Aug 3), Eggplant (Aug 8), Corn (Aug 10), Sunflowers (Aug 22), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 27), +1 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 1), Cosmos (Sep 1), Cucumber (Sep 1), Zinnias (Sep 1), Broccoli (Sep 2), Nasturtiums (Sep 6), +13 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 2), Cilantro (Oct 2), Collards (Oct 6), Scallions (Oct 6), Bok Choy (Oct 7), Lettuce (Oct 7), +6 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 28). First frost around November 28. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 2), Lavender (Dec 2), Onion (Dec 2), Rosemary (Dec 2), Celery (Dec 16), Collards (Dec 16), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 30), Beets (Dec 30), Dill (Dec 30), Peas (Dec 30), Radish (Dec 30), Spinach (Dec 30). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 19). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Austin, TX (ZIP 78721)?
The median last spring frost date for Austin, TX (ZIP code 78721) is around February 24. 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 February 1; one in ten it runs past March 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Austin, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Austin, TX is around November 28. 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 November 7 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Austin, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Austin is about 277 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 Austin (277 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Austin, TX?
Austin, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (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 Austin, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 20 and plant out Mar 10 in Austin. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Austin?
Two: plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 5.
When do I plant garlic in Austin?
Nov 28 to Dec 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Austin?
Yes: plant out Mar 10 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 29 for a fall crop.
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