Frost Dates for Austin, TX 78749
Austin has 44 ZIP codes. The Austin, TX frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 28 · First fall frost November 24 · 269 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 78749 has about 34,600 people, one of 44 ZIP codes in Austin.
Very long season: 269 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 30–March 29 (58 days). Fall frost risk spans November 5–December 13 (38 days).
Frost probability for 78749
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 29 | February 28 | January 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 5 | November 24 | December 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SAN MARCOS (37.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 269-day season in Austin
In Austin (269 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 24 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 227 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 14. | Jul 25 |
| Pepper | Jan 17 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 227 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 14. | Jul 30 |
| Lettuce | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 1. | Oct 3 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 311 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 311 available after Feb 7. | Sep 22 |
| Cucumber | Feb 7 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Beans | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Peas | — | Jan 3–Mar 14 | 332 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 332 available after Jan 3. | Sep 13 |
| Zucchini | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Onion | Dec 6 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 304 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 304 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 3–Feb 21 | 346 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 22 |
| Kale | Dec 20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 318 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 7 |
| Broccoli | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 304 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 304 available after Jan 31. | Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 318 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 318 available after Jan 31. | Sep 22 |
| Radish | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 332 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 23; both mature before Dec 1. | Oct 23 |
| Beets | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 332 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Dec 1. | Sep 23 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 290 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 290 available after Feb 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 24 | 374 | overwinter: Plant Nov 24 to Dec 15; harvest the following summer. | Dec 15 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 24–Mar 21 | 325 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 31 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 241 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 7. | Aug 6 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 14 | 234 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 14. | Jul 12 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 17 | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 283 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 283 available after Feb 21. | Sep 3 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 3 | Feb 14–Feb 14 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Dec 1. | Sep 23 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 346 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 22 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 318 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 318 available after Jan 31. | Aug 23 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 234 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 14. | Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Jan 10 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 227 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 14. | Aug 4 |
| Okra | Jan 31 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Basil | Jan 24 | Mar 21–Mar 21 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 31–Feb 21 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 1. | Sep 28 |
| Parsley | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 269 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 7. | Sep 8 |
| Celery | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 269 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 7. | Jul 20 |
| Scallions | Dec 20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 318 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 2 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 318 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 12 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 332 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 7 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 31 | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 1. | Oct 3 |
| Collards | Dec 20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 318 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 2 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 227 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 14. | Jul 20 |
| Chives | Dec 6 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 283 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 283 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 332 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Dec 1. | Sep 23 |
| Oregano | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 283 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 283 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 6 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 269 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Sage | Jan 3 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 283 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 283 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 283 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 283 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 17 | Feb 14–Feb 28 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 1. | Sep 28 |
| Cosmos | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Lavender | Dec 6 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 290 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 290 available after Feb 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Melons | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 227 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 14. | Jul 20 |
| Mint | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 290 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 290 available after Feb 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 248 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 7. | Aug 23 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 14. | Jul 22 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 255 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 28. | Aug 18 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 3 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 234 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 7. | Jul 30 |
| Watermelon | Feb 14 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 234 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 7. | Jul 25 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Zinnias | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
Month by month in Austin
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 3), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 3), Cabbage (Jan 3), Lettuce (Jan 3), Sage (Jan 3), Swiss Chard (Jan 3), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 3), Beets (Jan 3), Dill (Jan 3), Peas (Jan 3), Radish (Jan 3), Spinach (Jan 3), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 31), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 31), Cabbage (Jan 31), Collards (Jan 31), Kale (Jan 31), Lettuce (Jan 31), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 24). |
| February | Start indoors: Cucumber (Feb 7), Butternut Squash (Feb 14), Cantaloupe (Feb 14), Melons (Feb 14), Pumpkin (Feb 14), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Feb 7), Potatoes (Feb 14), Sunflowers (Feb 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 14), Swiss Chard (Feb 14), Bok Choy (Feb 21), Cauliflower (Feb 21), Cosmos (Feb 28), Lavender (Feb 28), +4 more. Last frost around February 28. |
| March | Direct sow from: Beans (Mar 7), Pole Beans (Mar 7). Transplant from: Celery (Mar 7), Chives (Mar 7), Corn (Mar 7), Okra (Mar 7), Oregano (Mar 7), Parsley (Mar 7), +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 12), Pumpkin (Jul 12), Cantaloupe (Jul 20), Celery (Jul 20), Melons (Jul 20), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 22), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Aug 4), Corn (Aug 6), Sunflowers (Aug 18), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 23), Pole Beans (Aug 23), Basil (Aug 28), +4 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Sep 2), Okra (Sep 2), Yellow Squash (Sep 2), Zucchini (Sep 2), Cauliflower (Sep 3), Beans (Sep 4), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Collards (Oct 2), Scallions (Oct 2), Bok Choy (Oct 3), Lettuce (Oct 3), Kale (Oct 7), Kohlrabi (Oct 7), +4 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 24). First frost around November 24. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 6), Lavender (Dec 6), Onion (Dec 6), Rosemary (Dec 6), Celery (Dec 20), Collards (Dec 20), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 15). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Austin, TX (ZIP 78749)?
The median last spring frost date for Austin, TX (ZIP code 78749) is around February 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 January 30; one in ten it runs past March 29.
What is the first fall frost date in Austin, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Austin, TX is around November 24. 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 5 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 269 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 (269 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 24 and plant out Mar 14 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 31 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 1.
When do I plant garlic in Austin?
Nov 24 to Dec 15; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Austin?
Yes: plant out Mar 14 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 25 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Austin (ZIP 78746) has 277 frost-free days, 8 more than Austin (ZIP 78749). See Austin ZIP 78746 frost dates
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