Frost Dates for Port Lavaca, TX 77979
Last spring frost January 29 · First fall frost December 18 · 323 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 77979 has about 16,500 people.
Very long season: 323 frost-free days.
Frost probability for 77979
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 6 | January 29 | — |
| Fall (first frost) | November 25 | December 18 | — |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PORT O'CONNOR (25.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 323-day season in Port Lavaca
In Port Lavaca (323 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 | Dec 25 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 281 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 12. | Aug 18 |
| Pepper | Dec 18 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 281 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 12. | Aug 23 |
| Lettuce | Dec 4 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | 358 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 25. | Oct 27 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 8–Jan 15 | 365 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 365 available after Jan 8. | Oct 16 |
| Cucumber | Jan 8 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 21 |
| Beans | — | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 11. | Sep 28 |
| Peas | — | Dec 4–Feb 12 | 386 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 386 available after Dec 4. | Oct 7 |
| Zucchini | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Onion | Nov 6 | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 358 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 358 available after Jan 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 4–Jan 22 | 400 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 4 and again by Nov 15; both mature before Jan 8. | Nov 15 |
| Kale | Nov 20 | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 372 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 31; both mature before Jan 8. | Oct 31 |
| Broccoli | Dec 4 | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 358 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 358 available after Jan 1. | Sep 22 |
| Cabbage | Dec 4 | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 372 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 372 available after Jan 1. | Oct 16 |
| Radish | — | Dec 4–Feb 26 | 386 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 4 and again by Nov 16; both mature before Dec 25. | Nov 16 |
| Beets | — | Dec 4–Feb 26 | 386 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 4 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 25. | Oct 17 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 15–Jan 22 | 344 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 344 available after Jan 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 18 | 428 | overwinter: Plant Dec 18 to Jan 8; harvest the following summer. | Jan 8 |
| Strawberry | — | Dec 25–Feb 19 | 379 | perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 1 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 295 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 295 available after Feb 5. | Aug 30 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 12 | 288 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 12. | Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 18 | Jan 22–Feb 5 | 337 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 337 available after Jan 22. | Sep 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 4 | Jan 15–Jan 15 | 344 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 15 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 25. | Oct 17 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 4–Feb 26 | 400 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 4 and again by Nov 15; both mature before Jan 8. | Nov 15 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 4 | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 372 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 372 available after Jan 1. | Sep 16 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 288 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 12. | Aug 5 |
| Eggplant | Dec 11 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 281 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 12. | Aug 28 |
| Okra | Jan 1 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Basil | Dec 25 | Feb 19–Feb 19 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 21 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 1–Jan 22 | 358 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Dec 25. | Oct 22 |
| Parsley | Nov 20 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 323 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 323 available after Feb 5. | Oct 2 |
| Celery | Nov 20 | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 323 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 323 available after Feb 5. | Aug 13 |
| Scallions | Nov 20 | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 372 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Jan 8. | Oct 26 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 372 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Nov 5; both mature before Jan 8. | Nov 5 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 18–Jan 1 | 386 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 18 and again by Oct 31; both mature before Jan 8. | Oct 31 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 1 | Jan 22–Jan 29 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 25. | Oct 27 |
| Collards | Nov 20 | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 372 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Jan 8. | Oct 26 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 281 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 12. | Aug 13 |
| Chives | Nov 6 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 337 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 337 available after Feb 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 4–Feb 26 | 386 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 4 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 25. | Oct 17 |
| Oregano | Nov 20 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 337 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 337 available after Feb 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 6 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 323 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 323 available after Feb 5. | — |
| Sage | Dec 4 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 337 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 337 available after Feb 5. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 20 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 337 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 337 available after Feb 5. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 18 | Jan 15–Jan 29 | 344 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 15 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Dec 25. | Oct 22 |
| Cosmos | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 21 |
| Lavender | Nov 6 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 344 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 344 available after Jan 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 18 | Jan 29–Feb 5 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Melons | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 281 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 12. | Aug 13 |
| Mint | — | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 344 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 344 available after Jan 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 5 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 302 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 302 available after Feb 5. | Sep 16 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 288 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 12. | Aug 15 |
| Sunflowers | — | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 309 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 309 available after Jan 29. | Sep 11 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 4 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 288 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 5. | Aug 23 |
| Watermelon | Jan 15 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 288 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 5. | Aug 18 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Zinnias | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 21 |
Month by month in Port Lavaca
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Jan 1), Corn (Jan 1), Cosmos (Jan 1), Nasturtiums (Jan 1), Okra (Jan 1), Zinnias (Jan 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jan 1), Turnip (Jan 1), Carrots (Jan 8), Potatoes (Jan 15), Sunflowers (Jan 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 1), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 1), Cabbage (Jan 1), Collards (Jan 1), Kale (Jan 1), Lettuce (Jan 1), +12 more. Last frost around January 29. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Jan 8). |
| February | Direct sow from: Beans (Feb 5), Pole Beans (Feb 5). Transplant from: Celery (Feb 5), Chives (Feb 5), Corn (Feb 5), Okra (Feb 5), Oregano (Feb 5), Parsley (Feb 5), +17 more. |
| March | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| April | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| May | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| June | Direct sow carrots and beets for fall harvest. Start fall broccoli and kale indoors. |
| July | Direct sow carrots and beets for fall harvest. Start fall broccoli and kale indoors. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Aug 5), Pumpkin (Aug 5), Cantaloupe (Aug 13), Celery (Aug 13), Melons (Aug 13), Spaghetti Squash (Aug 15), +6 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Sep 11), Brussel Sprouts (Sep 16), Pole Beans (Sep 16), Basil (Sep 21), Cosmos (Sep 21), Cucumber (Sep 21), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Oct 1), Parsley (Oct 2), Peas (Oct 7), Cabbage (Oct 16), Carrots (Oct 16), Beets (Oct 17), +10 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 6), Lavender (Nov 6), Onion (Nov 6), Rosemary (Nov 6), Celery (Nov 20), Collards (Nov 20), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Turnip (Nov 5), Arugula (Nov 15), Spinach (Nov 15), Radish (Nov 16). |
| December | Start indoors: Broccoli (Dec 4), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 4), Cabbage (Dec 4), Lettuce (Dec 4), Sage (Dec 4), Swiss Chard (Dec 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 4), Beets (Dec 4), Dill (Dec 4), Peas (Dec 4), Radish (Dec 4), Spinach (Dec 4), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Dec 25). First frost around December 18. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Port Lavaca, TX (ZIP 77979)?
The median last spring frost date for Port Lavaca, TX (ZIP code 77979) is around January 29. 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 Port Lavaca, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Port Lavaca, TX is around December 18. 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 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Port Lavaca, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Port Lavaca is about 323 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 Port Lavaca (323 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 Port Lavaca, TX?
Port Lavaca, 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 Port Lavaca, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Dec 25 and plant out Feb 12 in Port Lavaca. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Port Lavaca?
Two: plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 25.
When do I plant garlic in Port Lavaca?
Dec 18 to Jan 8; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Port Lavaca?
Yes: plant out Feb 12 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 18 for a fall crop.
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