When to Plant in Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth shares North Texas's continental climate with Dallas — Zone 8a with a last frost typically around mid-March. Hot, dry summers routinely hit 100°F, and while winters are mostly mild, periodic Arctic blasts can bring hard freezes that kill unprotected plants.

The key to Fort Worth gardening is the two-season strategy: a productive spring garden (March–June) and an even better fall garden (August–November). Summer heat ends most vegetable production by July. Heat-tolerant Southern crops and careful irrigation make the difference.

What to plant now in Fort Worth

Spring: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers, and corn after last frost in mid-March.
Late Spring/Early Summer (May–Jun): Okra, sweet potatoes, and southern peas take over as heat peaks.
Fall: Often the best season — broccoli, lettuce, kale, spinach, carrots, and a second tomato crop.
Winter: Garlic, cool-season greens with row cover, and cover crops.

In Fort Worth (239 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

Month by month in Fort Worth

Month	What to do
January	Start onion transplants indoors. Order seeds. Plant spinach and kale with frost protection.
February	Start tomato and pepper seeds indoors. Direct sow spinach, lettuce, and peas outdoors.
March	Transplant tomatoes and peppers after mid-March last frost. Direct sow beans and squash.
April	Full spring garden underway. Plant cucumbers, corn, and more peppers.
May	Plant okra and sweet potatoes. Mulch heavily as heat builds.
June	Harvest spring crops before heat ends production. Southern peas and okra thrive.
July	Heat peak — maintain and water. Start fall seeds indoors mid-July.
August	Plant fall tomatoes (critical month). Direct sow fall beans and squash.
September	Plant broccoli, kale, lettuce, and spinach transplants. Best fall planting month.
October	Full fall garden producing. Plant garlic and root vegetables.
November	Harvest fall crops. Protect from hard freezes with row cover.
December	Cool-season crops possible with protection. Plan next year's garden.

Frost dates for Fort Worth ZIP codes

ZIP	Last spring frost (50%)	First fall frost (50%)	Zone
76179	March 21	November 15	8b
76133	March 18	November 13	8b
76116	March 18	November 13	8b

FAQ

When is the last frost date in Fort Worth, TX?

Fort Worth's average last frost date is around March 21 — very similar to Dallas. Start warm-season transplants indoors in late January and plant outdoors after mid-March.

What grows best in Fort Worth?

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

Is fall or spring better for gardening in Fort Worth?

Many Fort Worth gardeners prefer fall — temperatures moderate after summer, there are fewer pests, and cool-season crops like broccoli and kale produce abundantly from September through November.

How do I handle Fort Worth's summer heat?

Mulch 3–4 inches deep, water deeply at the base of plants, and choose heat-tolerant varieties. Summer is okra and sweet potato season — embrace it and don't fight the heat with cold-weather crops.

How does Plan My Garden help Fort Worth gardeners?

Enter your Fort Worth zip code and we'll generate a personalized week-by-week planting schedule for all your crops — tuned to North Texas's two-season growing calendar.