Frost dates for 78148Universal City, TX
The average last spring frost in Universal City is February 21 and the average first fall frost is December 5, giving a typical growing season of about 289 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 21
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 5
- Growing season
- 289 days
Safer after Mar 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 16 (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 13 · Mar 6 · Mar 26 | Nov 4 · Nov 24 · Dec 10 | 261 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 10 · Feb 21 · Mar 14 | Nov 16 · Dec 5 · Jan 1 | 289 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 18 · Jan 26 · Mar 5 | Nov 28 · Dec 19 · Feb 1 | 336 days | 83% |
Planting calendar for Universal City
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 21 – Mar 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 9 – Aug 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 21 – Feb 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Aug 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Sep 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Aug 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 10 – Jan 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Feb 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 4 – Sep 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 24 – Jan 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Apr 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Oct 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 11 – Oct 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Oct 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Feb 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 25 – Dec 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78148 is matched to the NOAA station Randolph Afb, TX, 2.1 km away, at 760 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Randolph Afb, TX (used) | 760 ft | Feb 21 | Dec 5 |
| New Braunfels, TX | 720 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 18 |
| San Antonio Intl Ap, TX | 789 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 28 |
| San Antonio Incarnate Word, TX | 700 ft | Feb 25 | Nov 28 |
Frost dates near Universal City
- Schertz, TX 78154 · last Mar 8, first Nov 18
- Converse, TX 78109 · last Feb 25, first Nov 28
- San Antonio, TX 78233 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- Cibolo, TX 78108 · last Mar 8, first Nov 18
- Marion, TX 78124 · last Mar 8, first Nov 18
- Saint Hedwig, TX 78152 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Adkins, TX 78101 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Jbsa Ft Sam Houston, TX 78234 · last Feb 25, first Nov 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Universal City, TX?
- For ZIP code 78148, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Randolph Afb, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 14.
- When is the first frost in Universal City, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78148?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 289 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.