Frost dates for 77064Houston, TX
The average last spring frost in Houston is February 19 and the average first fall frost is December 3, giving a typical growing season of about 290 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 19
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 3
- Growing season
- 290 days
Safer after Mar 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 13 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 37 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Feb 11 · Mar 7 · Mar 29 | Nov 2 · Nov 19 · Dec 8 | 258 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 21 · Feb 19 · Mar 15 | Nov 13 · Dec 3 · Jan 5 | 290 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 28 · Jan 31 · Mar 5 | Dec 2 · Dec 29 · Feb 1 | 333 days | 85% |
Planting calendar for Houston
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Jan 19 – Mar 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 7 – Aug 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 19 – Feb 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Apr 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Sep 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Aug 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Apr 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 8 – Jan 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Feb 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Sep 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Apr 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Oct 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 9 – Oct 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Oct 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Feb 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 23 – Dec 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 77064 is matched to the NOAA station Houston Hooks Mem Ap, TX, 16.5 km away, at 152 ft elevation (40 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Hooks Mem Ap, TX (used) | 152 ft | Feb 19 | Dec 3 |
| Houston Intercont Ap, TX | 95 ft | Feb 13 | Dec 9 |
| Houston-Port, TX | 19 ft | Feb 2 | Dec 25 |
| Houston Sugarland Mem, TX | 82 ft | Feb 2 | Dec 11 |
Frost dates near Houston
- Houston, TX 77065 · last Feb 19, first Dec 3
- Cypress, TX 77429 · last Feb 19, first Dec 3
- Spring, TX 77379 · last Feb 19, first Dec 3
- North Houston, TX 77315 · last Feb 13, first Dec 9
- Bellaire, TX 77402 · last Feb 13, first Dec 9
- Tomball, TX 77375 · last Feb 19, first Dec 3
- Barker, TX 77413 · last Feb 9, first Dec 13
- Katy, TX 77449 · last Feb 19, first Dec 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Houston, TX?
- For ZIP code 77064, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Houston Hooks Mem Ap, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 15.
- When is the first frost in Houston, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 77064?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 290 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.