Frost Dates for Harker Heights, TX 76548
Last spring frost March 11 · First fall frost November 22 · 256 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 76548 has about 33,700 people.
Very long season: 256 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 18–March 31 (41 days). Fall frost risk spans October 31–December 13 (43 days).
Frost probability for 76548
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 31 | March 11 | February 18 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 31 | November 22 | December 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at STILLHOUSE HOLLOW DAM (11.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 256-day season in Harker Heights
In Harker Heights (256 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 4 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 214 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 25. | Jul 23 |
| Pepper | Jan 28 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 214 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 25. | Jul 28 |
| Lettuce | Jan 14 | Feb 11–Feb 18 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 1 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 298 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 18. | Sep 20 |
| Cucumber | Feb 18 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Beans | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Peas | — | Jan 14–Mar 25 | 319 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 319 available after Jan 14. | Sep 11 |
| Zucchini | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Onion | Dec 17 | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 291 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 11. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 14–Mar 4 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 20 |
| Kale | Dec 31 | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 5 |
| Broccoli | Jan 14 | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 291 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 11. | Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Jan 14 | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 305 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 11. | Sep 20 |
| Radish | — | Jan 14–Apr 8 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 21 |
| Beets | — | Jan 14–Apr 8 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 277 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 277 available after Feb 25. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 22 | 361 | overwinter: Plant Nov 22 to Dec 13; harvest the following summer. | Dec 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 4–Apr 1 | 312 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 4; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 11 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 228 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 18. | Aug 4 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Mar 25 | 221 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 25. | Jul 10 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 28 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 270 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 4. | Sep 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 14 | Feb 25–Feb 25 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 14–Apr 8 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 20 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 14 | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 305 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 11. | Aug 21 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 221 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 25. | Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Jan 21 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 214 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 25. | Aug 2 |
| Okra | Feb 11 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Basil | Feb 4 | Apr 1–Apr 1 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 11–Mar 4 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Parsley | Dec 31 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 256 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 18. | Sep 6 |
| Celery | Dec 31 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 256 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 18. | Jul 18 |
| Scallions | Dec 31 | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 13. | Sep 30 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 10 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 28–Feb 11 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 5 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 11 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 1 |
| Collards | Dec 31 | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 13. | Sep 30 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 214 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 25. | Jul 18 |
| Chives | Dec 17 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 270 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 14–Apr 8 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Oregano | Dec 31 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 270 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 17 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 256 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Sage | Jan 14 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 270 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 31 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 270 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 28 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Cosmos | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Lavender | Dec 17 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 277 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 277 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 28 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Melons | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 214 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 25. | Jul 18 |
| Mint | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 277 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 277 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 235 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 18. | Aug 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 25. | Jul 20 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 242 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 11. | Aug 16 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 14 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 221 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 18. | Jul 28 |
| Watermelon | Feb 25 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 221 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 18. | Jul 23 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Zinnias | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
Month by month in Harker Heights
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 14), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 14), Cabbage (Jan 14), Lettuce (Jan 14), Sage (Jan 14), Swiss Chard (Jan 14), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 14), Beets (Jan 14), Dill (Jan 14), Peas (Jan 14), Radish (Jan 14), Spinach (Jan 14), +1 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Basil (Feb 4), Tomato (Feb 4), Bok Choy (Feb 11), Corn (Feb 11), Cosmos (Feb 11), Nasturtiums (Feb 11), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Feb 11), Turnip (Feb 11), Carrots (Feb 18), Potatoes (Feb 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 11), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 11), Cabbage (Feb 11), Collards (Feb 11), Kale (Feb 11), Lettuce (Feb 11), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 4). |
| March | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Mar 11), Beans (Mar 18), Pole Beans (Mar 18). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Mar 4), Cauliflower (Mar 4), Cosmos (Mar 11), Lavender (Mar 11), Marigolds (Mar 11), Mint (Mar 11), +24 more. Last frost around March 11. |
| April | Transplant from: Basil (Apr 1). |
| 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 10), Pumpkin (Jul 10), Cantaloupe (Jul 18), Celery (Jul 18), Melons (Jul 18), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 20), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Aug 2), Corn (Aug 4), Sunflowers (Aug 16), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 21), Pole Beans (Aug 21), Basil (Aug 26), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cauliflower (Sep 1), Beans (Sep 2), Marigolds (Sep 5), Parsley (Sep 6), Peas (Sep 11), Cabbage (Sep 20), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Bok Choy (Oct 1), Lettuce (Oct 1), Kale (Oct 5), Kohlrabi (Oct 5), Turnip (Oct 10), Arugula (Oct 20), +2 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 22). First frost around November 22. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 17), Lavender (Dec 17), Onion (Dec 17), Rosemary (Dec 17), Celery (Dec 31), Collards (Dec 31), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 13). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Harker Heights, TX (ZIP 76548)?
The median last spring frost date for Harker Heights, TX (ZIP code 76548) is around March 11. 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 18; one in ten it runs past March 31.
What is the first fall frost date in Harker Heights, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Harker Heights, TX is around November 22. 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 31 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Harker Heights, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Harker Heights is about 256 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 Harker Heights (256 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 Harker Heights, TX?
Harker Heights, 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 Harker Heights, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 4 and plant out Mar 25 in Harker Heights. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Harker Heights?
Two: plant Feb 11 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 29.
When do I plant garlic in Harker Heights?
Nov 22 to Dec 13; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Harker Heights?
Yes: plant out Mar 25 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 23 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Killeen, TX 76542 (6 mi)
- Frost dates for Belton, TX 76513 (8.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Killeen, TX 76549 (10.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Fort Cavazos, TX 76544 (14 mi)
- Frost dates for Temple, TX 76502 (14.2 mi)
- When to plant in TX
- When to plant Peppers in TX
- When to plant Cucumbers in TX
- When to plant Zucchini in TX
- When to plant Butternut Squash in TX
- When to plant Basil in TX
- When to plant Sweet Corn in TX
- Look up another ZIP