Frost Dates for Penitas, TX 78576
Last spring frost February 9 · First fall frost January 30 · 355 frost-free days · USDA Zone 10a
ZIP 78576 has about 15,500 people.
Very long season: 355 frost-free days.
Frost probability for 78576
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | February 14 | February 9 | — |
| Fall (first frost) | December 8 | January 30 | — |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at RIO GRANDE CITY (34.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 355-day season in Penitas
In Penitas (355 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 5 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 313 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 23. | Sep 30 |
| Pepper | Dec 29 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 313 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 23. | Oct 5 |
| Lettuce | Dec 15 | Jan 12–Jan 19 | 390 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 12 and again by Dec 9; both mature before Feb 6. | Dec 9 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 19–Jan 26 | 397 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 397 available after Jan 19. | Nov 28 |
| Cucumber | Jan 19 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 327 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Nov 3; both mature before Jan 16. | Nov 3 |
| Beans | — | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 341 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Nov 10; both mature before Jan 23. | Nov 10 |
| Peas | — | Dec 15–Feb 23 | 418 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 418 available after Dec 15. | Nov 19 |
| Zucchini | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 327 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Nov 8; both mature before Jan 16. | Nov 8 |
| Onion | Nov 17 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 390 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 390 available after Jan 12. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 15–Feb 2 | 432 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 15 and again by Dec 28; both mature before Feb 20. | Dec 28 |
| Kale | Dec 1 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 404 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 12 and again by Dec 13; both mature before Feb 20. | Dec 13 |
| Broccoli | Dec 15 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 390 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 390 available after Jan 12. | Nov 4 |
| Cabbage | Dec 15 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 404 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 404 available after Jan 12. | Nov 28 |
| Radish | — | Dec 15–Mar 9 | 418 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 15 and again by Dec 29; both mature before Feb 6. | Dec 29 |
| Beets | — | Dec 15–Mar 9 | 418 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 15 and again by Nov 29; both mature before Feb 6. | Nov 29 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 26–Feb 2 | 376 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 376 available after Jan 26. | — |
| Garlic | — | Jan 30 | 460 | overwinter: Plant Jan 30 to Feb 20; harvest the following summer. | Feb 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 5–Mar 2 | 411 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 5; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 12 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 327 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 327 available after Feb 16. | Oct 12 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Feb 23 | 320 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 320 available after Feb 23. | Sep 17 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 29 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 369 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 369 available after Feb 2. | Nov 9 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 15 | Jan 26–Jan 26 | 376 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Nov 29; both mature before Feb 6. | Nov 29 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 15–Mar 9 | 432 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 15 and again by Dec 28; both mature before Feb 20. | Dec 28 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 15 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 404 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 404 available after Jan 12. | Oct 29 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 320 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 320 available after Feb 23. | Sep 17 |
| Eggplant | Dec 22 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 313 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 23. | Oct 10 |
| Okra | Jan 12 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Nov 8; both mature before Jan 16. | Nov 8 |
| Basil | Jan 5 | Mar 2–Mar 2 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Nov 3; both mature before Jan 16. | Nov 3 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 12–Feb 2 | 390 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 12 and again by Dec 4; both mature before Feb 6. | Dec 4 |
| Parsley | Dec 1 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 355 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 355 available after Feb 16. | Nov 14 |
| Celery | Dec 1 | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 355 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 355 available after Feb 16. | Sep 25 |
| Scallions | Dec 1 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 404 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 12 and again by Dec 8; both mature before Feb 20. | Dec 8 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 404 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 12 and again by Dec 18; both mature before Feb 20. | Dec 18 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 29–Jan 12 | 418 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 29 and again by Dec 13; both mature before Feb 20. | Dec 13 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 12 | Feb 2–Feb 9 | 369 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Dec 9; both mature before Feb 6. | Dec 9 |
| Collards | Dec 1 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 404 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 12 and again by Dec 8; both mature before Feb 20. | Dec 8 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 313 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 23. | Sep 25 |
| Chives | Nov 17 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 369 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 369 available after Feb 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 15–Mar 9 | 418 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 15 and again by Nov 29; both mature before Feb 6. | Nov 29 |
| Oregano | Dec 1 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 369 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 369 available after Feb 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 17 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 355 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 355 available after Feb 16. | — |
| Sage | Dec 15 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 369 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 369 available after Feb 16. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 1 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 369 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 369 available after Feb 16. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 29 | Jan 26–Feb 9 | 376 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Dec 4; both mature before Feb 6. | Dec 4 |
| Cosmos | Jan 12 | Feb 9–Feb 23 | 341 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Nov 3; both mature before Jan 16. | Nov 3 |
| Lavender | Nov 17 | Feb 9–Feb 23 | 376 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 376 available after Feb 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 29 | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 341 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Nov 13; both mature before Jan 16. | Nov 13 |
| Melons | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 313 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 23. | Sep 25 |
| Mint | — | Feb 9–Feb 23 | 376 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 376 available after Feb 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 12 | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 341 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Nov 8; both mature before Jan 16. | Nov 8 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 334 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 334 available after Feb 16. | Oct 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 320 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 320 available after Feb 23. | Sep 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 9–Feb 23 | 341 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 341 available after Feb 9. | Oct 24 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 15 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 320 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 320 available after Feb 16. | Oct 5 |
| Watermelon | Jan 26 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 320 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 320 available after Feb 16. | Sep 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 327 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Nov 8; both mature before Jan 16. | Nov 8 |
| Zinnias | Jan 12 | Feb 9–Feb 23 | 341 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Nov 3; both mature before Jan 16. | Nov 3 |
Month by month in Penitas
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Basil (Jan 5), Tomato (Jan 5), Bok Choy (Jan 12), Corn (Jan 12), Cosmos (Jan 12), Nasturtiums (Jan 12), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jan 12), Turnip (Jan 12), Carrots (Jan 19), Potatoes (Jan 26), Garlic (Jan 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 12), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 12), Cabbage (Jan 12), Collards (Jan 12), Kale (Jan 12), Lettuce (Jan 12), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 5). First frost around January 30. |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 9), Beans (Feb 16), Pole Beans (Feb 16). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Feb 2), Cauliflower (Feb 2), Cosmos (Feb 9), Lavender (Feb 9), Marigolds (Feb 9), Mint (Feb 9), +24 more. Last frost around February 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Feb 20). |
| March | Transplant from: Basil (Mar 2). |
| April | Main warm-season planting window. Direct sow melons and sweet corn. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce. Keep beds irrigated as temperatures climb. |
| June | Monitor for heat stress. Harvest zucchini and cucumbers frequently. |
| July | Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Watch for pests. |
| August | Start fall cool-season crops: broccoli, kale, beets, and carrots. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Sep 17), Pumpkin (Sep 17), Cantaloupe (Sep 25), Celery (Sep 25), Melons (Sep 25), Spaghetti Squash (Sep 27), +2 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Oct 5), Tomatillos (Oct 5), Eggplant (Oct 10), Corn (Oct 12), Sunflowers (Oct 24), Brussel Sprouts (Oct 29), +1 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 17), Lavender (Nov 17), Onion (Nov 17), Rosemary (Nov 17). Last sowing dates: Basil (Nov 3), Cosmos (Nov 3), Cucumber (Nov 3), Zinnias (Nov 3), Broccoli (Nov 4), Nasturtiums (Nov 8), +13 more. |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 1), Collards (Dec 1), Kale (Dec 1), Oregano (Dec 1), Parsley (Dec 1), Scallions (Dec 1), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 15), Beets (Dec 15), Dill (Dec 15), Peas (Dec 15), Radish (Dec 15), Spinach (Dec 15), +1 more. Last sowing dates: Calendula (Dec 4), Cilantro (Dec 4), Collards (Dec 8), Scallions (Dec 8), Bok Choy (Dec 9), Lettuce (Dec 9), +6 more. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Penitas, TX (ZIP 78576)?
The median last spring frost date for Penitas, TX (ZIP code 78576) is around February 9. 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.
What is the first fall frost date in Penitas, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Penitas, TX is around January 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 December 8 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Penitas, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Penitas is about 355 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 Penitas (355 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 Penitas, TX?
Penitas, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 10a (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 Penitas, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 5 and plant out Feb 23 in Penitas. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Penitas?
Two: plant Jan 12 and again by Dec 9; both mature before Feb 6.
When do I plant garlic in Penitas?
Jan 30 to Feb 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Penitas?
Yes: plant out Feb 23 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Sep 30 for a fall crop.
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