Frost Dates for Gatesville, TX 76528
Last spring frost March 17 · First fall frost November 16 · 244 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 76528 has about 18,900 people, the largest of 5 ZIP codes in Gatesville.
Very long season: 244 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 19–April 12 (52 days). Fall frost risk spans October 29–December 6 (38 days).
Frost probability for 76528
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 12 | March 17 | February 19 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 29 | November 16 | December 6 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at EVANT 1SSW (35.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Gatesville, TX
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 76528 | March 17 | November 16 | 8b |
| 76597 | March 17 | November 16 | 8b |
| 76599 | March 17 | November 16 | 8b |
| 76596 | March 17 | November 16 | 8b |
| 76598 | March 17 | November 16 | 8b |
Which crops fit a 244-day season in Gatesville
In Gatesville (244 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 | Feb 10 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 202 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 31. | Jul 17 |
| Pepper | Feb 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 202 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 31. | Jul 22 |
| Lettuce | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 25 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 286 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 24. | Sep 14 |
| Cucumber | Feb 24 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Beans | — | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Peas | — | Jan 20–Mar 31 | 307 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 307 available after Jan 20. | Sep 5 |
| Zucchini | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Onion | Dec 23 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 279 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 279 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 20–Mar 10 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 14 |
| Kale | Jan 6 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 29 |
| Broccoli | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 279 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 279 available after Feb 17. | Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 293 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 293 available after Feb 17. | Sep 14 |
| Radish | — | Jan 20–Apr 14 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Oct 15 |
| Beets | — | Jan 20–Apr 14 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 265 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 16 | 349 | overwinter: Plant Nov 16 to Dec 7; harvest the following summer. | Dec 7 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 10–Apr 7 | 300 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 10; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 17 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 216 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 24. | Jul 29 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Mar 31 | 209 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 31. | Jul 4 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 258 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 10. | Aug 26 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 3 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 20–Apr 14 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 14 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 293 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 293 available after Feb 17. | Aug 15 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 209 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 31. | Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Jan 27 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 202 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 31. | Jul 27 |
| Okra | Feb 17 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Basil | Feb 10 | Apr 7–Apr 7 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 17–Mar 10 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Parsley | Jan 6 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 244 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 24. | Aug 31 |
| Celery | Jan 6 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 244 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 24. | Jul 12 |
| Scallions | Jan 6 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 24 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 4 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 29 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 17 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 25 |
| Collards | Jan 6 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 24 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 202 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 31. | Jul 12 |
| Chives | Dec 23 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 258 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 20–Apr 14 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Oregano | Jan 6 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 258 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 23 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 244 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 24. | — |
| Sage | Jan 20 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 258 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 24. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 6 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 258 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 24. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Cosmos | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Lavender | Dec 23 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 265 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Melons | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 202 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 31. | Jul 12 |
| Mint | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 265 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 223 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 24. | Aug 15 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 31. | Jul 14 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 230 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 17. | Aug 10 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 20 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 209 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 24. | Jul 22 |
| Watermelon | Mar 3 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 209 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 24. | Jul 17 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Zinnias | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
Month by month in Gatesville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 6), Collards (Jan 6), Kale (Jan 6), Oregano (Jan 6), Parsley (Jan 6), Scallions (Jan 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 20), Beets (Jan 20), Dill (Jan 20), Peas (Jan 20), Radish (Jan 20), Spinach (Jan 20). |
| February | Start indoors: Calendula (Feb 3), Cauliflower (Feb 3), Marigolds (Feb 3), Pepper (Feb 3), Basil (Feb 10), Tomato (Feb 10), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 3), Cilantro (Feb 17), Turnip (Feb 17), Carrots (Feb 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 17), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 17), Cabbage (Feb 17), Collards (Feb 17), Kale (Feb 17), Lettuce (Feb 17), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 10). |
| March | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Mar 3), Cantaloupe (Mar 3), Melons (Mar 3), Pumpkin (Mar 3), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 3), Watermelon (Mar 3), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Mar 3), Sunflowers (Mar 17), Beans (Mar 24), Pole Beans (Mar 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 3), Swiss Chard (Mar 3), Bok Choy (Mar 10), Cauliflower (Mar 10), Cosmos (Mar 17), Lavender (Mar 17), +26 more. Last frost around March 17. |
| April | Transplant from: Basil (Apr 7). |
| 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 4), Pumpkin (Jul 4), Cantaloupe (Jul 12), Celery (Jul 12), Melons (Jul 12), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 14), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 10), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 15), Pole Beans (Aug 15), Basil (Aug 20), Cosmos (Aug 20), Cucumber (Aug 20), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Peas (Sep 5), Cabbage (Sep 14), Carrots (Sep 14), Beets (Sep 15), Dill (Sep 15), Swiss Chard (Sep 15), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Oct 4), Arugula (Oct 14), Spinach (Oct 14), Radish (Oct 15). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 16). First frost around November 16. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 23), Lavender (Dec 23), Onion (Dec 23), Rosemary (Dec 23). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 7). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Gatesville, TX (ZIP 76528)?
The median last spring frost date for Gatesville, TX (ZIP code 76528) is around March 17. 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 19; one in ten it runs past April 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Gatesville, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Gatesville, TX is around November 16. 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 Gatesville, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Gatesville is about 244 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 Gatesville (244 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 Gatesville, TX?
Gatesville, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (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 Gatesville, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 10 and plant out Mar 31 in Gatesville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Gatesville?
Two: plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 23.
When do I plant garlic in Gatesville?
Nov 16 to Dec 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Gatesville?
Yes: plant out Mar 31 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 17 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Fort Cavazos (ZIP 76544) has 253 frost-free days, 9 more than Gatesville (ZIP 76528). See Fort Cavazos ZIP 76544 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Fort Cavazos, TX 76544 (14.2 mi)
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