Frost Dates for Sweetwater, TX 79556
Last spring frost March 29 · First fall frost November 9 · 225 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 79556 has about 12,500 people.
Long season: 225 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 12–April 14 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans October 23–November 25 (33 days).
Frost probability for 79556
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 14 | March 29 | March 12 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 23 | November 9 | November 25 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ROTAN (41.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 225-day season in Sweetwater
In Sweetwater (225 frost-free days, a 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 | Feb 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 183 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 12. | Jul 10 |
| Pepper | Feb 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 12. | Jul 15 |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 18 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 267 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 8. | Sep 7 |
| Cucumber | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Beans | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Peas | — | Feb 1–Apr 12 | 288 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 1. | Aug 29 |
| Zucchini | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Onion | Jan 4 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 260 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 1–Mar 22 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 7 |
| Kale | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 260 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 1. | Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 274 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 1. | Sep 7 |
| Radish | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Oct 8 |
| Beets | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 246 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 9 | 330 | overwinter: Plant Nov 9 to Nov 30; harvest the following summer. | Nov 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 22–Apr 19 | 281 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 197 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 5. | Jul 22 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 190 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 12. | Jun 27 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 239 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 22. | Aug 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 1 | Mar 15–Mar 15 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 274 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 1. | Aug 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 190 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 12. | Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 183 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 12. | Jul 20 |
| Okra | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Basil | Feb 22 | Apr 19–Apr 19 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 1–Mar 22 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Parsley | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 225 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 5. | Aug 24 |
| Celery | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 225 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 5. | Jul 5 |
| Scallions | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 1 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 18 |
| Collards | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 183 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 12. | Jul 5 |
| Chives | Jan 4 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Oregano | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 239 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 239 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 4 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 225 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Sage | Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 239 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 239 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Cosmos | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Lavender | Jan 4 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 246 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Melons | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 183 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 12. | Jul 5 |
| Mint | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 246 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 204 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 5. | Aug 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 12. | Jul 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 211 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 29. | Aug 3 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 5. | Jul 15 |
| Watermelon | Mar 15 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 5. | Jul 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Zinnias | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
Month by month in Sweetwater
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 4), Lavender (Jan 4), Onion (Jan 4), Rosemary (Jan 4), Celery (Jan 18), Collards (Jan 18), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 1), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 1), Cabbage (Feb 1), Lettuce (Feb 1), Sage (Feb 1), Swiss Chard (Feb 1), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 1), Beets (Feb 1), Dill (Feb 1), Peas (Feb 1), Radish (Feb 1), Spinach (Feb 1), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 1), Corn (Mar 1), Cosmos (Mar 1), Nasturtiums (Mar 1), Okra (Mar 1), Zinnias (Mar 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 1), Turnip (Mar 1), Carrots (Mar 8), Potatoes (Mar 15), Sunflowers (Mar 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Collards (Mar 1), Kale (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), +12 more. Last frost around March 29. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 5), Pole Beans (Apr 5). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 5), Chives (Apr 5), Corn (Apr 5), Okra (Apr 5), Oregano (Apr 5), Parsley (Apr 5), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 27), Pumpkin (Jun 27). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 5), Celery (Jul 5), Melons (Jul 5), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 7), Tomato (Jul 10), Watermelon (Jul 10), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 3), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 8), Pole Beans (Aug 8), Basil (Aug 13), Cosmos (Aug 13), Cucumber (Aug 13), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 7), Carrots (Sep 7), Beets (Sep 8), Dill (Sep 8), Swiss Chard (Sep 8), Calendula (Sep 13), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 7), Spinach (Oct 7), Radish (Oct 8). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 9). First frost around November 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 30). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Sweetwater, TX (ZIP 79556)?
The median last spring frost date for Sweetwater, TX (ZIP code 79556) is around March 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. One year in ten frost ends before March 12; one in ten it runs past April 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Sweetwater, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Sweetwater, TX is around November 9. 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 23 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Sweetwater, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Sweetwater is about 225 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 Sweetwater (225 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Sweetwater, TX?
Sweetwater, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (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 Sweetwater, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 22 and plant out Apr 12 in Sweetwater. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Sweetwater?
Two: plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16.
When do I plant garlic in Sweetwater?
Nov 9 to Nov 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Sweetwater?
Yes: plant out Apr 12 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 10 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Abilene, TX 79606 (33.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Snyder, TX 79549 (41.4 mi)
- Frost dates for San Angelo, TX 76901 (67.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Big Spring, TX 79720 (68.1 mi)
- Frost dates for San Angelo, TX 76904 (82.5 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