Frost Dates for Austin, TX 78736
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 December 1 · 280 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 78736 has about 9,650 people, one of 44 ZIP codes in Austin.
Very long season: 280 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 30–March 21 (50 days). Fall frost risk spans November 11–December 21 (40 days).
Frost probability for 78736
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 21 | February 24 | January 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 11 | December 1 | December 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CANYON DAM (49.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 280-day season in Austin
In Austin (280 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 | 238 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 10. | Aug 1 |
| Pepper | Jan 13 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 238 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 10. | Aug 6 |
| Lettuce | Dec 30 | Jan 27–Feb 3 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 10 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 322 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 322 available after Feb 3. | Sep 29 |
| Cucumber | Feb 3 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Beans | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Peas | — | Dec 30–Mar 10 | 343 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 343 available after Dec 30. | Sep 20 |
| Zucchini | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Onion | Dec 2 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 315 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 315 available after Jan 27. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 30–Feb 17 | 357 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Oct 29; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 29 |
| Kale | Dec 16 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 14 |
| Broccoli | Dec 30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 315 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 315 available after Jan 27. | Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Dec 30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 329 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 329 available after Jan 27. | Sep 29 |
| Radish | — | Dec 30–Mar 24 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Oct 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 30 |
| Beets | — | Dec 30–Mar 24 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 30 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 301 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 1 | 385 | overwinter: Plant Dec 1 to Dec 22; harvest the following summer. | Dec 22 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 20–Mar 17 | 336 | 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 | 252 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 3. | Aug 13 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 10 | 245 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 10. | Jul 19 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 13 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 294 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 294 available after Feb 17. | Sep 10 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 30 | Feb 10–Feb 10 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 30 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 30–Mar 24 | 357 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Oct 29; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 29 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 329 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 329 available after Jan 27. | Aug 30 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 245 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 10. | Jul 19 |
| Eggplant | Jan 6 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 238 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 10. | Aug 11 |
| Okra | Jan 27 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Basil | Jan 20 | Mar 17–Mar 17 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 27–Feb 17 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 5 |
| Parsley | Dec 16 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 280 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 280 available after Mar 3. | Sep 15 |
| Celery | Dec 16 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 280 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 280 available after Mar 3. | Jul 27 |
| Scallions | Dec 16 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 9 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 19 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 14 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 27 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 10 |
| Collards | Dec 16 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 9 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 238 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 10. | Jul 27 |
| Chives | Dec 2 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 294 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 294 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 30–Mar 24 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 30 |
| Oregano | Dec 16 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 294 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 294 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 2 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 280 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 280 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Sage | Dec 30 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 294 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 294 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 16 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 294 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 294 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 13 | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 5 |
| Cosmos | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Lavender | Dec 2 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 301 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 13 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 14 |
| Melons | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 238 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 10. | Jul 27 |
| Mint | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 301 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 259 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 3. | Aug 30 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 245 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 10. | Jul 29 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 266 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 24. | Aug 25 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 30 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 245 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 3. | Aug 6 |
| Watermelon | Feb 10 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 245 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 3. | Aug 1 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Zinnias | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
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 19), Pumpkin (Jul 19), Cantaloupe (Jul 27), Celery (Jul 27), Melons (Jul 27), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 29). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Aug 1), Watermelon (Aug 1), Pepper (Aug 6), Tomatillos (Aug 6), Eggplant (Aug 11), Corn (Aug 13), +3 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 4), Cosmos (Sep 4), Cucumber (Sep 4), Zinnias (Sep 4), Broccoli (Sep 5), Nasturtiums (Sep 9), +13 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 5), Cilantro (Oct 5), Collards (Oct 9), Scallions (Oct 9), Bok Choy (Oct 10), Lettuce (Oct 10), +6 more. |
| November | First fall frost approaching (around December 1). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| 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: Garlic (Dec 1), Arugula (Dec 30), Beets (Dec 30), Dill (Dec 30), Peas (Dec 30), Radish (Dec 30), +1 more. First frost around December 1. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 22). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Austin, TX (ZIP 78736)?
The median last spring frost date for Austin, TX (ZIP code 78736) 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 January 30; one in ten it runs past March 21.
What is the first fall frost date in Austin, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Austin, TX is around December 1. 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 11 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 280 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 (280 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 10; both mature before Dec 8.
When do I plant garlic in Austin?
Dec 1 to Dec 22; 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 Aug 1 for a fall crop.
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