Frost dates for 77248Houston, TX
The average last spring frost in Houston is February 13 and the average first fall frost is December 9, giving a typical growing season of about 300 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 13
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 9
- Growing season
- 300 days
Safer after Mar 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 17 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 53 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 5 · Mar 2 · Mar 25 | Nov 6 · Nov 25 · Dec 14 | 266 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 12 · Feb 13 · Mar 12 | Nov 17 · Dec 9 · Jan 11 | 300 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 26 · Jan 27 · Mar 2 | Dec 2 · Jan 2 · Feb 2 | 343 days | 77% |
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 13 – Mar 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 1 – Aug 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 13 – Feb 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Aug 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Apr 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Sep 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Aug 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Mar 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 2 – Dec 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 26 – Jan 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 8 – Sep 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 16 – Jan 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Sep 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Mar 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Mar 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 29 – Dec 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 77248 is matched to the NOAA station Houston Intercont Ap, TX, 17.7 km away, at 95 ft elevation (16 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Intercont Ap, TX (used) | 95 ft | Feb 13 | Dec 9 |
| Houston-Port, TX | 19 ft | Feb 2 | Dec 25 |
| Houston Hobby Ap, TX | 44 ft | Jan 30 | Dec 28 |
| Houston Hooks Mem Ap, TX | 152 ft | Feb 19 | Dec 3 |
Frost dates near Houston
- Houston, TX 77202 · last Feb 13, first Dec 9
- North Houston, TX 77315 · last Feb 13, first Dec 9
- Bellaire, TX 77402 · last Feb 13, first Dec 9
- Alief, TX 77411 · last Feb 15, first Dec 6
- Humble, TX 77396 · last Feb 13, first Dec 9
- Galena Park, TX 77547 · last Jan 30, first Dec 28
- Spring, TX 77388 · last Feb 19, first Dec 3
- Barker, TX 77413 · last Feb 9, first Dec 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Houston, TX?
- For ZIP code 77248, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Houston Intercont Ap, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 12.
- When is the first frost in Houston, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 77248?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 300 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.