Frost Dates for Houston, TX 77070
Houston has 97 ZIP codes. The Houston, TX frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 27 · First fall frost November 30 · 276 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 77070 has about 58,200 people, one of 97 ZIP codes in Houston.
Very long season: 276 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 31–March 20 (48 days). Fall frost risk spans November 5–December 17 (42 days).
Frost probability for 77070
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 20 | February 27 | January 31 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 5 | November 30 | December 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CONROE (40.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 276-day season in Houston
In Houston (276 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 | Jan 23 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 234 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 13. | Jul 31 |
| Pepper | Jan 16 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 234 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 13. | Aug 5 |
| Lettuce | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 6 | 311 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 9 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 318 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 318 available after Feb 6. | Sep 28 |
| Cucumber | Feb 6 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Beans | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Peas | — | Jan 2–Mar 13 | 339 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 339 available after Jan 2. | Sep 19 |
| Zucchini | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Onion | Dec 5 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 311 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 311 available after Jan 30. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 2–Feb 20 | 353 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Oct 28; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 28 |
| Kale | Dec 19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 325 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 13 |
| Broccoli | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 311 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 311 available after Jan 30. | Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 325 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 325 available after Jan 30. | Sep 28 |
| Radish | — | Jan 2–Mar 27 | 339 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Oct 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 29 |
| Beets | — | Jan 2–Mar 27 | 339 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 29 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 297 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 297 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 30 | 381 | overwinter: Plant Nov 30 to Dec 21; harvest the following summer. | Dec 21 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 23–Mar 20 | 332 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 30 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 248 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 6. | Aug 12 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 13 | 241 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 13. | Jul 18 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 16 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 290 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 290 available after Feb 20. | Sep 9 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 2 | Feb 13–Feb 13 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 29 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 2–Mar 27 | 353 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Oct 28; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 28 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 325 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 325 available after Jan 30. | Aug 29 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 241 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 13. | Jul 18 |
| Eggplant | Jan 9 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 234 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 13. | Aug 10 |
| Okra | Jan 30 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Basil | Jan 23 | Mar 20–Mar 20 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 30–Feb 20 | 311 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 4 |
| Parsley | Dec 19 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 276 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 276 available after Mar 6. | Sep 14 |
| Celery | Dec 19 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 276 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 276 available after Mar 6. | Jul 26 |
| Scallions | Dec 19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 325 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 8 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 325 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 18 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 339 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 13 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 30 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 9 |
| Collards | Dec 19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 325 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 8 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 234 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 13. | Jul 26 |
| Chives | Dec 5 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 290 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 290 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 2–Mar 27 | 339 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 29 |
| Oregano | Dec 19 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 290 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 290 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 5 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 276 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 276 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Sage | Jan 2 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 290 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 290 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 19 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 290 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 290 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 4 |
| Cosmos | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Lavender | Dec 5 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 297 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 297 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 16 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Melons | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 234 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 13. | Jul 26 |
| Mint | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 297 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 297 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 255 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 6. | Aug 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 241 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 13. | Jul 28 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 262 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 262 available after Feb 27. | Aug 24 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 2 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 241 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 6. | Aug 5 |
| Watermelon | Feb 13 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 241 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 6. | Jul 31 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Zinnias | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
Month by month in Houston
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 2), Cabbage (Jan 2), Lettuce (Jan 2), Sage (Jan 2), Swiss Chard (Jan 2), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 2), Beets (Jan 2), Dill (Jan 2), Peas (Jan 2), Radish (Jan 2), Spinach (Jan 2), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 30), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 30), Cabbage (Jan 30), Collards (Jan 30), Kale (Jan 30), Lettuce (Jan 30), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 23). |
| February | Start indoors: Cucumber (Feb 6), Butternut Squash (Feb 13), Cantaloupe (Feb 13), Melons (Feb 13), Pumpkin (Feb 13), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 13), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Feb 6), Potatoes (Feb 13), Sunflowers (Feb 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 13), Swiss Chard (Feb 13), Bok Choy (Feb 20), Cauliflower (Feb 20), Cosmos (Feb 27), Lavender (Feb 27), +4 more. Last frost around February 27. |
| March | Direct sow from: Beans (Mar 6), Pole Beans (Mar 6). Transplant from: Celery (Mar 6), Chives (Mar 6), Corn (Mar 6), Okra (Mar 6), Oregano (Mar 6), Parsley (Mar 6), +17 more. |
| April | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| May | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| June | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 18), Pumpkin (Jul 18), Cantaloupe (Jul 26), Celery (Jul 26), Melons (Jul 26), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 28), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 5), Tomatillos (Aug 5), Eggplant (Aug 10), Corn (Aug 12), Sunflowers (Aug 24), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 29), +1 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 3), Cosmos (Sep 3), Cucumber (Sep 3), Zinnias (Sep 3), Broccoli (Sep 4), Nasturtiums (Sep 8), +13 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 4), Cilantro (Oct 4), Collards (Oct 8), Scallions (Oct 8), Bok Choy (Oct 9), Lettuce (Oct 9), +6 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 30). First frost around November 30. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 5), Lavender (Dec 5), Onion (Dec 5), Rosemary (Dec 5), Celery (Dec 19), Collards (Dec 19), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 21). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Houston, TX (ZIP 77070)?
The median last spring frost date for Houston, TX (ZIP code 77070) is around February 27. 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 January 31; one in ten it runs past March 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Houston, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Houston, TX is around November 30. 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 November 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Houston, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Houston is about 276 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 Houston (276 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 Houston, TX?
Houston, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (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 Houston, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 23 and plant out Mar 13 in Houston. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Houston?
Two: plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 7.
When do I plant garlic in Houston?
Nov 30 to Dec 21; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Houston?
Yes: plant out Mar 13 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 31 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Houston (ZIP 77040) has 298 frost-free days, 22 more than Houston (ZIP 77070). See Houston ZIP 77040 frost dates
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