Frost Dates for Smithville, TX 78957
Last spring frost March 4 · First fall frost November 20 · 261 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 78957 has about 10,500 people.
Very long season: 261 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 9–March 27 (46 days). Fall frost risk spans October 30–December 11 (42 days).
Frost probability for 78957
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 27 | March 4 | February 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 30 | November 20 | December 11 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SMITHVILLE (1.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 261-day season in Smithville
In Smithville (261 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 28 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 219 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 18. | Jul 21 |
| Pepper | Jan 21 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 219 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 18. | Jul 26 |
| Lettuce | Jan 7 | Feb 4–Feb 11 | 296 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 29 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 11–Feb 18 | 303 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 303 available after Feb 11. | Sep 18 |
| Cucumber | Feb 11 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Beans | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Peas | — | Jan 7–Mar 18 | 324 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 324 available after Jan 7. | Sep 9 |
| Zucchini | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Onion | Dec 10 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 296 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 296 available after Feb 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 7–Feb 25 | 338 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 18 |
| Kale | Dec 24 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 310 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 3 |
| Broccoli | Jan 7 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 296 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 296 available after Feb 4. | Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Jan 7 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 310 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 310 available after Feb 4. | Sep 18 |
| Radish | — | Jan 7–Apr 1 | 324 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Oct 19 |
| Beets | — | Jan 7–Apr 1 | 324 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 282 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 282 available after Feb 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 20 | 366 | overwinter: Plant Nov 20 to Dec 11; harvest the following summer. | Dec 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 28–Mar 25 | 317 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 4 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 233 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 11. | Aug 2 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 18 | 226 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 18. | Jul 8 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 21 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 275 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 275 available after Feb 25. | Aug 30 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 7 | Feb 18–Feb 18 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 7–Apr 1 | 338 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 7 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 310 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 310 available after Feb 4. | Aug 19 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 226 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 18. | Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Jan 14 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 18. | Jul 31 |
| Okra | Feb 4 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Basil | Jan 28 | Mar 25–Mar 25 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 4–Feb 25 | 296 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Parsley | Dec 24 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 261 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 261 available after Mar 11. | Sep 4 |
| Celery | Dec 24 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 261 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 261 available after Mar 11. | Jul 16 |
| Scallions | Dec 24 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 310 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 11. | Sep 28 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 310 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 324 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 3 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 4 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 29 |
| Collards | Dec 24 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 310 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 11. | Sep 28 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 219 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 18. | Jul 16 |
| Chives | Dec 10 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 275 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 275 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 7–Apr 1 | 324 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Oregano | Dec 24 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 275 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 275 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 10 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 261 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 261 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Sage | Jan 7 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 275 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 275 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 24 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 275 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 275 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Cosmos | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Lavender | Dec 10 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 282 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 282 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Melons | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 219 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 18. | Jul 16 |
| Mint | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 282 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 282 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 240 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 11. | Aug 19 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 226 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 18. | Jul 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 247 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 4. | Aug 14 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 7 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 226 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 11. | Jul 26 |
| Watermelon | Feb 18 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 226 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 11. | Jul 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Zinnias | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
Month by month in Smithville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 7), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 7), Cabbage (Jan 7), Lettuce (Jan 7), Sage (Jan 7), Swiss Chard (Jan 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 7), Beets (Jan 7), Dill (Jan 7), Peas (Jan 7), Radish (Jan 7), Spinach (Jan 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 28). |
| February | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Feb 4), Corn (Feb 4), Cosmos (Feb 4), Nasturtiums (Feb 4), Okra (Feb 4), Zinnias (Feb 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Feb 4), Turnip (Feb 4), Carrots (Feb 11), Potatoes (Feb 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 4), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 4), Cabbage (Feb 4), Collards (Feb 4), Kale (Feb 4), Lettuce (Feb 4), +6 more. |
| March | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Mar 4), Beans (Mar 11), Pole Beans (Mar 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (Mar 4), Lavender (Mar 4), Marigolds (Mar 4), Mint (Mar 4), Nasturtiums (Mar 4), Zinnias (Mar 4), +23 more. Last frost around March 4. |
| April | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| 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 8), Pumpkin (Jul 8), Cantaloupe (Jul 16), Celery (Jul 16), Melons (Jul 16), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 18), +5 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Corn (Aug 2), Sunflowers (Aug 14), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 19), Pole Beans (Aug 19), Basil (Aug 24), Cosmos (Aug 24), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Sep 3), Parsley (Sep 4), Peas (Sep 9), Cabbage (Sep 18), Carrots (Sep 18), Beets (Sep 19), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Kale (Oct 3), Kohlrabi (Oct 3), Turnip (Oct 8), Arugula (Oct 18), Spinach (Oct 18), Radish (Oct 19). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 20). First frost around November 20. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 10), Lavender (Dec 10), Onion (Dec 10), Rosemary (Dec 10), Celery (Dec 24), Collards (Dec 24), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 11). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Smithville, TX (ZIP 78957)?
The median last spring frost date for Smithville, TX (ZIP code 78957) is around March 4. 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 9; one in ten it runs past March 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Smithville, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Smithville, TX is around November 20. 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 30 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Smithville, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Smithville is about 261 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 Smithville (261 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 Smithville, TX?
Smithville, 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 Smithville, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 28 and plant out Mar 18 in Smithville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Smithville?
Two: plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 27.
When do I plant garlic in Smithville?
Nov 20 to Dec 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Smithville?
Yes: plant out Mar 18 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 21 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
La Grange (ZIP 78945) has 270 frost-free days, 9 more than Smithville (ZIP 78957). See La Grange ZIP 78945 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Bastrop, TX 78602 (12.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Giddings, TX 78942 (18.1 mi)
- Frost dates for La Grange, TX 78945 (18.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Cedar Creek, TX 78612 (19.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Dale, TX 78616 (23.6 mi)
- When to plant in TX
- When to plant Peppers in TX
- When to plant Cucumbers in TX
- When to plant Zucchini in TX
- When to plant Butternut Squash in TX
- When to plant Basil in TX
- When to plant Sweet Corn in TX
- Look up another ZIP