Frost Dates for Decatur, TX 76234
Last spring frost March 21 · First fall frost November 12 · 236 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 76234 has about 21,400 people.
Long season: 236 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 5–April 6 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans October 27–November 27 (31 days).
Frost probability for 76234
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 6 | March 21 | March 5 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 27 | November 12 | November 27 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BOWIE (43.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 236-day season in Decatur
In Decatur (236 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 14 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 4. | Jul 13 |
| Pepper | Feb 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 194 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 4. | Jul 18 |
| Lettuce | Jan 24 | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 21 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 278 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 28. | Sep 10 |
| Cucumber | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Beans | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Peas | — | Jan 24–Apr 4 | 299 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 299 available after Jan 24. | Sep 1 |
| Zucchini | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Onion | Dec 27 | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 271 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 271 available after Feb 21. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 24–Mar 14 | 313 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 10 |
| Kale | Jan 10 | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Broccoli | Jan 24 | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 271 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 271 available after Feb 21. | Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Jan 24 | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 285 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 285 available after Feb 21. | Sep 10 |
| Radish | — | Jan 24–Apr 18 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Oct 11 |
| Beets | — | Jan 24–Apr 18 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 257 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 12 | 341 | overwinter: Plant Nov 12 to Dec 3; harvest the following summer. | Dec 3 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 14–Apr 11 | 292 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 14; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 21 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 208 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 28. | Jul 25 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 4 | 201 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 4. | Jun 30 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 7 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 250 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 14. | Aug 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 7 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 24–Apr 18 | 313 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 10 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 24 | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 285 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 285 available after Feb 21. | Aug 11 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 201 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 4. | Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 194 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 4. | Jul 23 |
| Okra | Feb 21 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Basil | Feb 14 | Apr 11–Apr 11 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 21–Mar 14 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Parsley | Jan 10 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 236 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 28. | Aug 27 |
| Celery | Jan 10 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 236 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 28. | Jul 8 |
| Scallions | Jan 10 | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 20 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 30 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 7–Feb 21 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 21 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 21 |
| Collards | Jan 10 | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 20 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 194 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 4. | Jul 8 |
| Chives | Dec 27 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 250 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 24–Apr 18 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Oregano | Jan 10 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 250 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 27 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 236 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Sage | Jan 24 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 250 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 10 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 250 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Cosmos | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Lavender | Dec 27 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 257 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 21. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Melons | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 194 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 4. | Jul 8 |
| Mint | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 257 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 21. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 215 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 28. | Aug 11 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 4. | Jul 10 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 222 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 21. | Aug 6 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 24 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 201 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 28. | Jul 18 |
| Watermelon | Mar 7 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 201 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 28. | Jul 13 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Zinnias | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
Month by month in Decatur
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 10), Collards (Jan 10), Kale (Jan 10), Oregano (Jan 10), Parsley (Jan 10), Scallions (Jan 10), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 24), Beets (Jan 24), Dill (Jan 24), Peas (Jan 24), Radish (Jan 24), Spinach (Jan 24). |
| February | Start indoors: Calendula (Feb 7), Cauliflower (Feb 7), Marigolds (Feb 7), Pepper (Feb 7), Basil (Feb 14), Tomato (Feb 14), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 7), Cilantro (Feb 21), Turnip (Feb 21), Carrots (Feb 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 21), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 21), Cabbage (Feb 21), Collards (Feb 21), Kale (Feb 21), Lettuce (Feb 21), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 14). |
| March | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Mar 7), Cantaloupe (Mar 7), Melons (Mar 7), Pumpkin (Mar 7), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 7), Watermelon (Mar 7), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Mar 7), Sunflowers (Mar 21), Beans (Mar 28), Pole Beans (Mar 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 7), Swiss Chard (Mar 7), Bok Choy (Mar 14), Cauliflower (Mar 14), Cosmos (Mar 21), Lavender (Mar 21), +15 more. Last frost around March 21. |
| April | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Apr 4), Cantaloupe (Apr 4), Cucumber (Apr 4), Eggplant (Apr 4), Melons (Apr 4), Pepper (Apr 4), +6 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 | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 27), Lavender (Dec 27), Onion (Dec 27), Rosemary (Dec 27). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 3). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Decatur, TX (ZIP 76234)?
The median last spring frost date for Decatur, TX (ZIP code 76234) is around March 21. 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 5; one in ten it runs past April 6.
What is the first fall frost date in Decatur, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Decatur, 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 27 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Decatur, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Decatur is about 236 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 Decatur (236 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 Decatur, TX?
Decatur, 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 Decatur, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 14 and plant out Apr 4 in Decatur. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Decatur?
Two: plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 19.
When do I plant garlic in Decatur?
Nov 12 to Dec 3; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Decatur?
Yes: plant out Apr 4 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 13 for a fall crop.
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