Frost Dates for San Benito, TX 78586
Last spring frost December 25 · First fall frost January 23 · 29 frost-free days · USDA Zone 10a
ZIP 78586 has about 51,000 people.
Short season: 29 frost-free days.
Frost probability for 78586
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | February 17 | December 25 | — |
| Fall (first frost) | December 12 | January 23 | — |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BROWNSVILLE INTL AP (30.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 29-day season in San Benito
In San Benito (29 frost-free days, a short season), 13 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 3 get two plantings, 3 need an indoor start, 36 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Nov 20 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; San Benito has 0 after Jan 8. | — |
| Pepper | Nov 13 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; San Benito has 0 after Jan 8. | — |
| Lettuce | Oct 30 | Nov 27–Dec 4 | 64 | fits: 45 days to maturity, 64 available after Nov 27. | Dec 2 |
| Carrots | — | Dec 4–Dec 11 | 71 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 71 available after Dec 4. | — |
| Cucumber | Dec 4 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | 1 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; San Benito has 1 after Jan 8. | — |
| Beans | — | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 15 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; San Benito has 15 after Jan 1. | — |
| Peas | — | Oct 30–Jan 8 | 92 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 92 available after Oct 30. | Nov 12 |
| Zucchini | Dec 11 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | 1 | no-fit: Needs 55 days; San Benito has 1 after Jan 8. | — |
| Onion | Oct 2 | Nov 27–Dec 11 | 64 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; San Benito has 64 after Nov 27. | — |
| Spinach | — | Oct 30–Dec 18 | 106 | two-plantings: Plant Oct 30 and again by Dec 21; both mature before Feb 13. | Dec 21 |
| Kale | Oct 16 | Nov 27–Dec 11 | 78 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 78 available after Nov 27. | Dec 6 |
| Broccoli | Oct 30 | Nov 27–Dec 11 | 64 | head-start: Even planted out Nov 27, the outdoor season is about 16 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cabbage | Oct 30 | Nov 27–Dec 11 | 78 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 78 available after Nov 27. | — |
| Radish | — | Oct 30–Jan 22 | 92 | two-plantings: Plant Oct 30 and again by Dec 22; both mature before Jan 30. | Dec 22 |
| Beets | — | Oct 30–Jan 22 | 92 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 92 available after Oct 30. | Nov 22 |
| Potatoes | — | Dec 11–Dec 18 | 50 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; San Benito has 50 after Dec 11. | — |
| Garlic | — | Jan 23 | 134 | overwinter: Plant Jan 23 to Feb 13; harvest the following summer. | Feb 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Nov 20–Jan 15 | 85 | perennial: A perennial: plant Nov 20; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Nov 27 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | 1 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; San Benito has 1 after Jan 1. | — |
| Pumpkin | Dec 11 | Jan 8–Jan 8 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; San Benito has 0 after Jan 8. | — |
| Cauliflower | Nov 13 | Dec 18–Jan 1 | 43 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; San Benito has 43 after Dec 18. | — |
| Swiss Chard | Oct 30 | Dec 11–Dec 11 | 50 | head-start: Even planted out Dec 11, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Arugula | — | Oct 30–Jan 22 | 106 | two-plantings: Plant Oct 30 and again by Dec 21; both mature before Feb 13. | Dec 21 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Oct 30 | Nov 27–Dec 11 | 78 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; San Benito has 78 after Nov 27. | — |
| Butternut Squash | Dec 11 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; San Benito has 0 after Jan 8. | — |
| Eggplant | Nov 6 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; San Benito has 0 after Jan 8. | — |
| Okra | Nov 27 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | 8 | no-fit: Needs 55 days; San Benito has 8 after Jan 1. | — |
| Basil | Nov 20 | Jan 15–Jan 15 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; San Benito has 0 after Jan 15. | — |
| Cilantro | — | Nov 27–Dec 18 | 64 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 64 available after Nov 27. | — |
| Parsley | Oct 16 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | 29 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; San Benito has 29 after Jan 1. | — |
| Celery | Oct 16 | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 29 | no-fit: Needs 120 days; San Benito has 29 after Jan 1. | — |
| Scallions | Oct 16 | Nov 27–Dec 11 | 78 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 78 available after Nov 27. | Dec 1 |
| Turnip | — | Nov 27–Dec 11 | 78 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 78 available after Nov 27. | Dec 11 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Nov 13–Nov 27 | 92 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 92 available after Nov 13. | Dec 6 |
| Bok Choy | Nov 27 | Dec 18–Dec 25 | 43 | head-start: Even planted out Dec 18, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Collards | Oct 16 | Nov 27–Dec 11 | 78 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 78 available after Nov 27. | Dec 1 |
| Cantaloupe | Dec 11 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; San Benito has 0 after Jan 8. | — |
| Chives | Oct 2 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | 43 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; San Benito has 43 after Jan 1. | — |
| Dill | — | Oct 30–Jan 22 | 92 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 92 available after Oct 30. | Nov 22 |
| Oregano | Oct 16 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | 43 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; San Benito has 43 after Jan 1. | — |
| Rosemary | Oct 2 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | 29 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; San Benito has 29 after Jan 1. | — |
| Sage | Oct 30 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | 43 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; San Benito has 43 after Jan 1. | — |
| Thyme | Oct 16 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | 43 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; San Benito has 43 after Jan 1. | — |
| Calendula | Nov 13 | Dec 11–Dec 25 | 50 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 50 available after Dec 11. | — |
| Cosmos | Nov 27 | Dec 25–Jan 8 | 15 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; San Benito has 15 after Dec 25. | — |
| Lavender | Oct 2 | Dec 25–Jan 8 | 50 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; San Benito has 50 after Dec 25. | — |
| Marigolds | Nov 13 | Dec 25–Jan 1 | 15 | no-fit: Needs 50 days; San Benito has 15 after Dec 25. | — |
| Melons | Dec 11 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; San Benito has 0 after Jan 8. | — |
| Mint | — | Dec 25–Jan 8 | 50 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; San Benito has 50 after Dec 25. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Nov 27 | Dec 25–Jan 1 | 15 | no-fit: Needs 55 days; San Benito has 15 after Dec 25. | — |
| Pole Beans | — | Jan 1–Jan 15 | 8 | no-fit: Needs 65 days; San Benito has 8 after Jan 1. | — |
| Spaghetti Squash | Dec 11 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; San Benito has 0 after Jan 8. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Dec 25–Jan 8 | 15 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; San Benito has 15 after Dec 25. | — |
| Tomatillos | Oct 30 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; San Benito has 0 after Jan 1. | — |
| Watermelon | Dec 11 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | 0 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; San Benito has 0 after Jan 1. | — |
| Yellow Squash | Dec 11 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | 1 | no-fit: Needs 55 days; San Benito has 1 after Jan 8. | — |
| Zinnias | Nov 27 | Dec 25–Jan 8 | 15 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; San Benito has 15 after Dec 25. | — |
Month by month in San Benito
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Direct sow from: Beans (Jan 1), Pole Beans (Jan 1), Garlic (Jan 23). Transplant from: Celery (Jan 1), Chives (Jan 1), Corn (Jan 1), Okra (Jan 1), Oregano (Jan 1), Parsley (Jan 1), +17 more. First frost around January 23. |
| February | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Feb 13). |
| March | Transplant warm-season crops outdoors. Sow beans, cucumbers, and squash. |
| 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 | Plant fall lettuce, spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| October | Start indoors: Chives (Oct 2), Lavender (Oct 2), Onion (Oct 2), Rosemary (Oct 2), Celery (Oct 16), Collards (Oct 16), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Oct 30), Beets (Oct 30), Dill (Oct 30), Peas (Oct 30), Radish (Oct 30), Spinach (Oct 30). |
| November | Start indoors: Eggplant (Nov 6), Calendula (Nov 13), Cauliflower (Nov 13), Marigolds (Nov 13), Pepper (Nov 13), Basil (Nov 20), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Nov 13), Cilantro (Nov 27), Turnip (Nov 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Nov 27), Brussel Sprouts (Nov 27), Cabbage (Nov 27), Collards (Nov 27), Kale (Nov 27), Lettuce (Nov 27), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Nov 20). Last sowing dates: Peas (Nov 12), Beets (Nov 22), Dill (Nov 22). |
| December | Start indoors: Cucumber (Dec 4), Butternut Squash (Dec 11), Cantaloupe (Dec 11), Melons (Dec 11), Pumpkin (Dec 11), Spaghetti Squash (Dec 11), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Dec 4), Potatoes (Dec 11), Sunflowers (Dec 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Dec 11), Swiss Chard (Dec 11), Bok Choy (Dec 18), Cauliflower (Dec 18), Cosmos (Dec 25), Lavender (Dec 25), +4 more. Last frost around December 25. Last sowing dates: Collards (Dec 1), Scallions (Dec 1), Lettuce (Dec 2), Kale (Dec 6), Kohlrabi (Dec 6), Turnip (Dec 11), +3 more. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for San Benito, TX (ZIP 78586)?
The median last spring frost date for San Benito, TX (ZIP code 78586) is around December 25. 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 San Benito, TX?
The median first fall frost date for San Benito, TX is around January 23. 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 12 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in San Benito, TX?
The frost-free growing season in San Benito is about 29 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 San Benito (29 frost-free days, a short season), 13 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 3 get two plantings, 3 need an indoor start, 36 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is San Benito, TX?
San Benito, 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 San Benito, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Nov 20 and plant out Jan 8 in San Benito. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in San Benito?
One spring planting around Nov 27. The last sow date is Dec 2.
When do I plant garlic in San Benito?
Jan 23 to Feb 13; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in San Benito?
Not reliably outdoors. Needs 120 days; San Benito has 29 after Jan 1.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Harlingen, TX 78550 (10.2 mi)
- Frost dates for La Feria, TX 78559 (11.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Los Fresnos, TX 78566 (14 mi)
- Frost dates for Mercedes, TX 78570 (17 mi)
- Frost dates for Port Isabel, TX 78578 (21.1 mi)
- When to plant in TX
- When to plant Beets in TX
- When to plant Broccoli in TX
- When to plant Carrots in TX
- When to plant Kale in TX
- When to plant Onions in TX
- When to plant Peas in TX
- Look up another ZIP