Frost Dates for Zapata, TX 78076
Last spring frost January 24 · First fall frost December 11 · 321 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 78076 has about 13,100 people.
Very long season: 321 frost-free days.
Frost probability for 78076
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 5 | January 24 | — |
| Fall (first frost) | November 25 | December 11 | — |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ZAPATA 1 S (13.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 321-day season in Zapata
In Zapata (321 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 20 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 279 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 279 available after Feb 7. | Aug 11 |
| Pepper | Dec 13 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 279 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 279 available after Feb 7. | Aug 16 |
| Lettuce | Nov 29 | Dec 27–Jan 3 | 356 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 20 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 3–Jan 10 | 363 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 363 available after Jan 3. | Oct 9 |
| Cucumber | Jan 3 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Beans | — | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 21 |
| Peas | — | Nov 29–Feb 7 | 384 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 384 available after Nov 29. | Sep 30 |
| Zucchini | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Onion | Nov 1 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 356 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 356 available after Dec 27. | — |
| Spinach | — | Nov 29–Jan 17 | 398 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 29 and again by Nov 8; both mature before Jan 1. | Nov 8 |
| Kale | Nov 15 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 370 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Oct 24; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 24 |
| Broccoli | Nov 29 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 356 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 356 available after Dec 27. | Sep 15 |
| Cabbage | Nov 29 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 370 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 370 available after Dec 27. | Oct 9 |
| Radish | — | Nov 29–Feb 21 | 384 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 29 and again by Nov 9; both mature before Dec 18. | Nov 9 |
| Beets | — | Nov 29–Feb 21 | 384 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 29 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 10–Jan 17 | 342 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 342 available after Jan 10. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 11 | 426 | overwinter: Plant Dec 11 to Jan 1; harvest the following summer. | Jan 1 |
| Strawberry | — | Dec 20–Feb 14 | 377 | perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 20; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Dec 27 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 293 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 293 available after Jan 31. | Aug 23 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 7 | 286 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 7. | Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 13 | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 335 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 335 available after Jan 17. | Sep 20 |
| Swiss Chard | Nov 29 | Jan 10–Jan 10 | 342 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Arugula | — | Nov 29–Feb 21 | 398 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 29 and again by Nov 8; both mature before Jan 1. | Nov 8 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Nov 29 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 370 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 370 available after Dec 27. | Sep 9 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 286 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 7. | Jul 29 |
| Eggplant | Dec 6 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 279 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 279 available after Feb 7. | Aug 21 |
| Okra | Dec 27 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Basil | Dec 20 | Feb 14–Feb 14 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | Dec 27–Jan 17 | 356 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 15 |
| Parsley | Nov 15 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 321 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 321 available after Jan 31. | Sep 25 |
| Celery | Nov 15 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 321 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 321 available after Jan 31. | Aug 6 |
| Scallions | Nov 15 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 370 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 19 |
| Turnip | — | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 370 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Oct 29; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 29 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 384 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 13 and again by Oct 24; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 24 |
| Bok Choy | Dec 27 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 20 |
| Collards | Nov 15 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 370 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 19 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 279 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 279 available after Feb 7. | Aug 6 |
| Chives | Nov 1 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 335 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 335 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Dill | — | Nov 29–Feb 21 | 384 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 29 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Oregano | Nov 15 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 335 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 335 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 1 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 321 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 321 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Sage | Nov 29 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 335 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 335 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 15 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 335 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 335 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 13 | Jan 10–Jan 24 | 342 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 15 |
| Cosmos | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Feb 7 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Lavender | Nov 1 | Jan 24–Feb 7 | 342 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 342 available after Jan 24. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 13 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Melons | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 279 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 279 available after Feb 7. | Aug 6 |
| Mint | — | Jan 24–Feb 7 | 342 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 342 available after Jan 24. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 300 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 300 available after Jan 31. | Sep 9 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 286 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 7. | Aug 8 |
| Sunflowers | — | Jan 24–Feb 7 | 307 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 307 available after Jan 24. | Sep 4 |
| Tomatillos | Nov 29 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 286 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 286 available after Jan 31. | Aug 16 |
| Watermelon | Jan 10 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 286 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 286 available after Jan 31. | Aug 11 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Zinnias | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Feb 7 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
Month by month in Zapata
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Cucumber (Jan 3), Butternut Squash (Jan 10), Cantaloupe (Jan 10), Melons (Jan 10), Pumpkin (Jan 10), Spaghetti Squash (Jan 10), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Jan 3), Potatoes (Jan 10), Sunflowers (Jan 24), Beans (Jan 31), Pole Beans (Jan 31). Transplant from: Calendula (Jan 10), Swiss Chard (Jan 10), Bok Choy (Jan 17), Cauliflower (Jan 17), Cosmos (Jan 24), Lavender (Jan 24), +15 more. Last frost around January 24. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Jan 1). |
| February | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Feb 7), Cantaloupe (Feb 7), Cucumber (Feb 7), Eggplant (Feb 7), Melons (Feb 7), Pepper (Feb 7), +6 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 | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 29), Pumpkin (Jul 29). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Aug 6), Celery (Aug 6), Melons (Aug 6), Spaghetti Squash (Aug 8), Tomato (Aug 11), Watermelon (Aug 11), +4 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Sep 4), Brussel Sprouts (Sep 9), Pole Beans (Sep 9), Basil (Sep 14), Cosmos (Sep 14), Cucumber (Sep 14), +11 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Oct 9), Carrots (Oct 9), Beets (Oct 10), Dill (Oct 10), Swiss Chard (Oct 10), Calendula (Oct 15), +8 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 1), Lavender (Nov 1), Onion (Nov 1), Rosemary (Nov 1), Celery (Nov 15), Collards (Nov 15), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Nov 29), Beets (Nov 29), Dill (Nov 29), Peas (Nov 29), Radish (Nov 29), Spinach (Nov 29). Last sowing dates: Arugula (Nov 8), Spinach (Nov 8), Radish (Nov 9). |
| December | Start indoors: Eggplant (Dec 6), Calendula (Dec 13), Cauliflower (Dec 13), Marigolds (Dec 13), Pepper (Dec 13), Basil (Dec 20), +7 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 11), Kohlrabi (Dec 13), Cilantro (Dec 27), Turnip (Dec 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Dec 27), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 27), Cabbage (Dec 27), Collards (Dec 27), Kale (Dec 27), Lettuce (Dec 27), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Dec 20). First frost around December 11. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Zapata, TX (ZIP 78076)?
The median last spring frost date for Zapata, TX (ZIP code 78076) is around January 24. 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 Zapata, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Zapata, TX is around December 11. 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 Zapata, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Zapata is about 321 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 Zapata (321 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 Zapata, TX?
Zapata, 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 Zapata, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Dec 20 and plant out Feb 7 in Zapata. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Zapata?
Two: plant Dec 27 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 18.
When do I plant garlic in Zapata?
Dec 11 to Jan 1; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Zapata?
Yes: plant out Feb 7 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 11 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Penitas (ZIP 78576) has 355 frost-free days, 34 more than Zapata (ZIP 78076). See Penitas ZIP 78576 frost dates
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