When to Plant in Austin, TX

Austin sits in the Hill Country transition zone — Zone 8b with a typical last frost around February 28. The city gets hot quickly in summer (regularly 100°F+ in July and August), making timing critical to get warm-season crops in early and take advantage of the excellent fall season.

Central Texas gardening is all about the two-season strategy: a productive spring garden (February–May) and an even better fall garden (August–November). The summer heat effectively shuts down most vegetable production, though okra, sweet potatoes, and heat-tolerant crops soldier on.

What to plant now in Austin

Spring: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers, and corn after February 28 last frost.
Late Spring (May–Jun): Okra and sweet potatoes as heat peaks.
Fall: Often the best season — broccoli, lettuce, kale, spinach, carrots, and a second tomato crop.
Winter: Cool-season greens, garlic, and root vegetables with light frost protection.

In Austin (269 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

Month by month in Austin

Month	What to do
January	Start onion transplants and tomato seeds indoors. Plant spinach and kale with frost protection.
February	After February 28 last frost — transplant tomatoes and peppers. Direct sow beans and squash.
March	Full spring garden. Plant cucumbers, corn, and more peppers.
April	Plant okra and sweet potatoes. Mulch heavily as heat builds.
May	Harvest spring crops. Plant heat-tolerant summer crops.
June	Summer heat peaks. Maintain and water. Plant southern peas.
July	Peak heat. Water deeply. Start fall seeds indoors mid-July.
August	Critical fall planting month. Plant fall tomatoes and beans.
September	Plant broccoli, kale, lettuce, and spinach transplants.
October	Full fall garden. Plant garlic and root vegetables.
November	Harvest fall crops. Protect from hard freezes.
December	Cool-season crops continue. Plan next year.

Frost dates for Austin ZIP codes

ZIP	Last spring frost (50%)	First fall frost (50%)	Zone
78745	February 28	November 24	9a
78758	February 24	November 28	9a
78741	February 24	November 28	9a
78750	February 24	November 28	9a
78746	February 24	November 28	9a

FAQ

When is the last frost date in Austin, TX?

Austin's average last frost date is around February 28. Most years, warm-season crops can go outdoors by mid-February.

What grows best in Austin?

Spring: tomatoes, peppers, squash, and beans (Feb–May). Summer: okra and sweet potatoes. Fall (often the best season): broccoli, kale, lettuce, carrots, and spinach.

Is fall or spring better for gardening in Austin?

Many Austin gardeners prefer fall — temperatures moderate after summer, pests decrease, and cool-season crops like broccoli and kale produce abundantly from September through November.

How do I handle Austin's summer heat?

Mulch 3–4 inches deep, water at the base of plants in the morning, and embrace heat-tolerant crops like okra and sweet potatoes in summer. Don't fight the heat with cool-weather vegetables.

How does Plan My Garden help Austin gardeners?

Enter your Austin zip code and we'll generate a personalized planting schedule — accounting for Central Texas's two-season growing calendar.