Frost Dates for Hondo, TX 78861
Last spring frost March 20 · First fall frost November 13 · 238 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 78861 has about 14,000 people.
Long season: 238 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 25–April 11 (45 days). Fall frost risk spans October 27–November 30 (34 days).
Frost probability for 78861
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 11 | March 20 | February 25 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 27 | November 13 | November 30 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BOERNE (58.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 238-day season in Hondo
In Hondo (238 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 | 196 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 3. | Jul 14 |
| Pepper | Feb 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 196 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 3. | Jul 19 |
| Lettuce | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 22 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 280 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 280 available after Feb 27. | Sep 11 |
| Cucumber | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Beans | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Peas | — | Jan 23–Apr 3 | 301 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 301 available after Jan 23. | Sep 2 |
| Zucchini | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Onion | Dec 26 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 273 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 23–Mar 13 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 11 |
| Kale | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Broccoli | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 273 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 20. | Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 287 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 20. | Sep 11 |
| Radish | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Oct 12 |
| Beets | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 259 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 13 | 343 | overwinter: Plant Nov 13 to Dec 4; harvest the following summer. | Dec 4 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 13–Apr 10 | 294 | 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 | 210 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 27. | Jul 26 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 3 | 203 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 3. | Jul 1 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 252 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 13. | Aug 23 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 6 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 11 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 287 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 20. | Aug 12 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 203 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 3. | Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Jan 30 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 196 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 3. | Jul 24 |
| Okra | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Basil | Feb 13 | Apr 10–Apr 10 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 20–Mar 13 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 17 |
| Parsley | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 238 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 27. | Aug 28 |
| Celery | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 238 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 27. | Jul 9 |
| Scallions | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 21 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 20 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 22 |
| Collards | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 21 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 196 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 3. | Jul 9 |
| Chives | Dec 26 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 252 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Oregano | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 252 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 26 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 238 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Sage | Jan 23 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 252 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 252 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 17 |
| Cosmos | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Lavender | Dec 26 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 259 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Melons | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 196 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 3. | Jul 9 |
| Mint | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 259 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 217 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 27. | Aug 12 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 3. | Jul 11 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 20. | Aug 7 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 23 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 203 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 203 available after Mar 27. | Jul 19 |
| Watermelon | Mar 6 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 203 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 203 available after Mar 27. | Jul 14 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Zinnias | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
Month by month in Hondo
| 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 1), Pumpkin (Jul 1), Cantaloupe (Jul 9), Celery (Jul 9), Melons (Jul 9), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 11), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 7), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 12), Pole Beans (Aug 12), Basil (Aug 17), Cosmos (Aug 17), Cucumber (Aug 17), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Peas (Sep 2), Cabbage (Sep 11), Carrots (Sep 11), Beets (Sep 12), Dill (Sep 12), Swiss Chard (Sep 12), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Oct 1), Arugula (Oct 11), Spinach (Oct 11), Radish (Oct 12). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 13). First frost around November 13. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 26), Lavender (Dec 26), Onion (Dec 26), Rosemary (Dec 26). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 4). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Hondo, TX (ZIP 78861)?
The median last spring frost date for Hondo, TX (ZIP code 78861) 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 25; one in ten it runs past April 11.
What is the first fall frost date in Hondo, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Hondo, TX is around November 13. 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 Hondo, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Hondo is about 238 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 Hondo (238 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 Hondo, TX?
Hondo, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (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 Hondo, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 13 and plant out Apr 3 in Hondo. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Hondo?
Two: plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 20.
When do I plant garlic in Hondo?
Nov 13 to Dec 4; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Hondo?
Yes: plant out Apr 3 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 14 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Devine (ZIP 78016) has 273 frost-free days, 35 more than Hondo (ZIP 78861). See Devine ZIP 78016 frost dates
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