Frost dates for 77494Katy, TX
The average last spring frost in Katy is February 15 and the average first fall frost is December 6, giving a typical growing season of about 297 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 15
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 6
- Growing season
- 297 days
Safer after Mar 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 13 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 40 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 4 · Mar 6 · Apr 1 | Nov 4 · Nov 22 · Dec 12 | 263 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 13 · Feb 15 · Mar 15 | Nov 13 · Dec 6 · Jan 5 | 297 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 21 · Jan 26 · Mar 5 | Nov 29 · Dec 29 · Jan 29 | 334 days | 83% |
Planting calendar for Katy
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 15 – Mar 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 3 – Aug 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Feb 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Mar 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Aug 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 – Apr 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 – Sep 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 – Aug 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 10 – Apr 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Mar 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 4 – Dec 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 5 – Sep 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 18 – Jan 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Apr 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Oct 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 12 – Oct 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Mar 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Oct 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 26 – Dec 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 77494 is matched to the NOAA station Thompsons 3 Wsw, TX, 34.6 km away, at 70 ft elevation (61 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thompsons 3 Wsw, TX (used) | 70 ft | Feb 15 | Dec 6 |
| Sugar Land, TX | 84 ft | Feb 9 | Dec 13 |
| Houston Sugarland Mem, TX | 82 ft | Feb 2 | Dec 11 |
| Sealy, TX | 196 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 30 |
Frost dates near Katy
- Katy, TX 77491 · last Feb 19, first Dec 3
- Fulshear, TX 77441 · last Feb 15, first Dec 6
- Richmond, TX 77406 · last Feb 15, first Dec 6
- Houston, TX 77094 · last Feb 9, first Dec 13
- Barker, TX 77413 · last Feb 9, first Dec 13
- Simonton, TX 77476 · last Feb 28, first Nov 30
- Brookshire, TX 77423 · last Feb 28, first Nov 30
- Pattison, TX 77466 · last Feb 28, first Nov 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Katy, TX?
- For ZIP code 77494, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Thompsons 3 Wsw, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 15.
- When is the first frost in Katy, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 6. 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 77494?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 297 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.