Frost Dates for Bowie, TX 76230
Last spring frost March 30 · First fall frost November 7 · 222 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 76230 has about 10,500 people.
Long season: 222 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 11–April 13 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans October 20–November 25 (36 days).
Frost probability for 76230
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 13 | March 30 | March 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 20 | November 7 | November 25 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BRIDGEPORT (38.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 222-day season in Bowie
In Bowie (222 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 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 180 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 13. | Jul 8 |
| Pepper | Feb 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 13. | Jul 13 |
| Lettuce | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 16 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 264 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 9. | Sep 5 |
| Cucumber | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Beans | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Peas | — | Feb 2–Apr 13 | 285 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 285 available after Feb 2. | Aug 27 |
| Zucchini | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Onion | Jan 5 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 257 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 2–Mar 23 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 28. | Oct 5 |
| Kale | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Broccoli | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 257 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 2. | Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 271 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 2. | Sep 5 |
| Radish | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Oct 6 |
| Beets | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 7 | 327 | overwinter: Plant Nov 7 to Nov 28; harvest the following summer. | Nov 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 23–Apr 20 | 278 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 194 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 6. | Jul 20 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 13 | 187 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 13. | Jun 25 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 16 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 236 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 23. | Aug 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 16 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 28. | Oct 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 271 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 2. | Aug 6 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 187 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 13. | Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Feb 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 180 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 13. | Jul 18 |
| Okra | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Basil | Feb 23 | Apr 20–Apr 20 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 2–Mar 23 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Parsley | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 222 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 6. | Aug 22 |
| Celery | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 222 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 6. | Jul 3 |
| Scallions | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 15 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 2 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 16 |
| Collards | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 180 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 13. | Jul 3 |
| Chives | Jan 5 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 236 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Oregano | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 236 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 5 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 222 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Sage | Feb 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 236 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 236 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Cosmos | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Lavender | Jan 5 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Melons | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 180 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 13. | Jul 3 |
| Mint | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 201 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 6. | Aug 6 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 13. | Jul 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 30. | Aug 1 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 6. | Jul 13 |
| Watermelon | Mar 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 6. | Jul 8 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Zinnias | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
Month by month in Bowie
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 5), Lavender (Jan 5), Onion (Jan 5), Rosemary (Jan 5), Celery (Jan 19), Collards (Jan 19), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 2), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 2), Cabbage (Feb 2), Lettuce (Feb 2), Sage (Feb 2), Swiss Chard (Feb 2), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 2), Beets (Feb 2), Dill (Feb 2), Peas (Feb 2), Radish (Feb 2), Spinach (Feb 2), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 23). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 2), Corn (Mar 2), Cosmos (Mar 2), Nasturtiums (Mar 2), Okra (Mar 2), Zinnias (Mar 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 2), Turnip (Mar 2), Carrots (Mar 9), Potatoes (Mar 16), Sunflowers (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 2), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 2), Cabbage (Mar 2), Collards (Mar 2), Kale (Mar 2), Lettuce (Mar 2), +12 more. Last frost around March 30. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 6), Pole Beans (Apr 6). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 6), Chives (Apr 6), Corn (Apr 6), Okra (Apr 6), Oregano (Apr 6), Parsley (Apr 6), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 25), Pumpkin (Jun 25). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 3), Celery (Jul 3), Melons (Jul 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 5), Tomato (Jul 8), Watermelon (Jul 8), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 1), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 6), Pole Beans (Aug 6), Basil (Aug 11), Cosmos (Aug 11), Cucumber (Aug 11), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 5), Carrots (Sep 5), Beets (Sep 6), Dill (Sep 6), Swiss Chard (Sep 6), Calendula (Sep 11), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 5), Spinach (Oct 5), Radish (Oct 6). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 7). First frost around November 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 28). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Bowie, TX (ZIP 76230)?
The median last spring frost date for Bowie, TX (ZIP code 76230) is around March 30. 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 11; one in ten it runs past April 13.
What is the first fall frost date in Bowie, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Bowie, TX is around November 7. 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 20 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Bowie, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Bowie is about 222 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 Bowie (222 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 Bowie, TX?
Bowie, 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 Bowie, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 23 and plant out Apr 13 in Bowie. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Bowie?
Two: plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 14.
When do I plant garlic in Bowie?
Nov 7 to Nov 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Bowie?
Yes: plant out Apr 13 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 8 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Bridgeport (ZIP 76426) has 236 frost-free days, 14 more than Bowie (ZIP 76230). See Bridgeport ZIP 76426 frost dates
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