Frost Dates for Gainesville, TX 76241
Gainesville has 2 ZIP codes. The Gainesville, TX frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost March 20 · First fall frost November 14 · 239 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
Long season: 239 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 28–April 10 (41 days). Fall frost risk spans October 29–December 1 (33 days).
Frost probability for 76241
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 10 | March 20 | February 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 29 | November 14 | December 1 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PILOT POINT ISL DU BOI (34.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 239-day season in Gainesville
In Gainesville (239 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 13 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 197 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 3. | Jul 15 |
| Pepper | Feb 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 197 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 3. | Jul 20 |
| Lettuce | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 23 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 281 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 27. | Sep 12 |
| Cucumber | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Beans | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Peas | — | Jan 23–Apr 3 | 302 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 302 available after Jan 23. | Sep 3 |
| Zucchini | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Onion | Dec 26 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 274 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 274 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 23–Mar 13 | 316 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 12 |
| Kale | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 27 |
| Broccoli | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 274 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 274 available after Feb 20. | Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 288 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 20. | Sep 12 |
| Radish | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Oct 13 |
| Beets | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 13 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 260 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 14 | 344 | overwinter: Plant Nov 14 to Dec 5; harvest the following summer. | Dec 5 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 13–Apr 10 | 295 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 13; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 211 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 27. | Jul 27 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 3 | 204 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 3. | Jul 2 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 253 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 13. | Aug 24 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 6 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 13 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 316 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 12 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 288 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 20. | Aug 13 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 204 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 3. | Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Jan 30 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 197 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 3. | Jul 25 |
| Okra | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Basil | Feb 13 | Apr 10–Apr 10 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 20–Mar 13 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 18 |
| Parsley | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 239 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 27. | Aug 29 |
| Celery | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 239 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 27. | Jul 10 |
| Scallions | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 22 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 2 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 27 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 20 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 23 |
| Collards | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 22 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 197 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 3. | Jul 10 |
| Chives | Dec 26 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 253 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 13 |
| Oregano | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 253 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 26 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 239 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Sage | Jan 23 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 253 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 253 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 18 |
| Cosmos | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Lavender | Dec 26 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 260 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Melons | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 197 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 3. | Jul 10 |
| Mint | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 260 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 218 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 27. | Aug 13 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 204 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 3. | Jul 12 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 225 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 20. | Aug 8 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 23 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 204 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 27. | Jul 20 |
| Watermelon | Mar 6 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 204 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 27. | Jul 15 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Zinnias | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
Month by month in Gainesville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 9), Collards (Jan 9), Kale (Jan 9), Oregano (Jan 9), Parsley (Jan 9), Scallions (Jan 9), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 23), Beets (Jan 23), Dill (Jan 23), Peas (Jan 23), Radish (Jan 23), Spinach (Jan 23). |
| February | Start indoors: Calendula (Feb 6), Cauliflower (Feb 6), Marigolds (Feb 6), Pepper (Feb 6), Basil (Feb 13), Tomato (Feb 13), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 6), Cilantro (Feb 20), Turnip (Feb 20), Carrots (Feb 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 20), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 20), Cabbage (Feb 20), Collards (Feb 20), Kale (Feb 20), Lettuce (Feb 20), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 13). |
| March | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Mar 6), Cantaloupe (Mar 6), Melons (Mar 6), Pumpkin (Mar 6), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 6), Watermelon (Mar 6), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Mar 6), Sunflowers (Mar 20), Beans (Mar 27), Pole Beans (Mar 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 6), Swiss Chard (Mar 6), Bok Choy (Mar 13), Cauliflower (Mar 13), Cosmos (Mar 20), Lavender (Mar 20), +15 more. Last frost around March 20. |
| April | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Apr 3), Cantaloupe (Apr 3), Cucumber (Apr 3), Eggplant (Apr 3), Melons (Apr 3), Pepper (Apr 3), +6 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 2), Pumpkin (Jul 2), Cantaloupe (Jul 10), Celery (Jul 10), Melons (Jul 10), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 12), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 8), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 13), Pole Beans (Aug 13), Basil (Aug 18), Cosmos (Aug 18), Cucumber (Aug 18), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Peas (Sep 3), Cabbage (Sep 12), Carrots (Sep 12), Beets (Sep 13), Dill (Sep 13), Swiss Chard (Sep 13), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Oct 2), Arugula (Oct 12), Spinach (Oct 12), Radish (Oct 13). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 14). First frost around November 14. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 26), Lavender (Dec 26), Onion (Dec 26), Rosemary (Dec 26). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 5). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Gainesville, TX (ZIP 76241)?
The median last spring frost date for Gainesville, TX (ZIP code 76241) is around March 20. 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 28; one in ten it runs past April 10.
What is the first fall frost date in Gainesville, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Gainesville, TX is around November 14. 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 29 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Gainesville, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Gainesville is about 239 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 Gainesville (239 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 Gainesville, TX?
Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 13 and plant out Apr 3 in Gainesville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Gainesville?
Two: plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 21.
When do I plant garlic in Gainesville?
Nov 14 to Dec 5; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Gainesville?
Yes: plant out Apr 3 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 15 for a fall crop.
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