Frost dates for 78717Austin, TX
The average last spring frost in Austin is March 6 and the average first fall frost is November 24, giving a typical growing season of about 259 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 6
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 24
- Growing season
- 259 days
Safer after Mar 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 5 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 28 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) | Mar 1 · Mar 22 · Apr 10 | Oct 31 · Nov 13 · Dec 1 | 232 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 13 · Mar 6 · Mar 30 | Nov 5 · Nov 24 · Dec 10 | 259 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 24 · Feb 23 · Mar 16 | Nov 15 · Dec 5 · Jan 1 | 288 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Austin
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 | Feb 3 – Apr 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Aug 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 3 – Mar 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – May 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Aug 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Apr 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 23 – Jan 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Apr 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 14 – Dec 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78717 is matched to the NOAA station Georgetown Lake, TX, 19.1 km away, at 874 ft elevation (5 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown Lake, TX (used) | 874 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 24 |
| Austin Great Hills, TX | 880 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 20 |
| Austin-Camp Mabry, TX | 670 ft | Feb 20 | Dec 3 |
| Austin 6S, TX | 570 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 17 |
Frost dates near Austin
- Austin, TX 78729 · last Mar 11, first Nov 20
- Round Rock, TX 78681 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Cedar Park, TX 78613 · last Mar 6, first Nov 24
- Leander, TX 78646 · last Mar 6, first Nov 24
- Pflugerville, TX 78660 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Georgetown, TX 78628 · last Mar 6, first Nov 24
- Hutto, TX 78634 · last Mar 8, first Nov 21
- Mc Neil, TX 78651 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Austin, TX?
- For ZIP code 78717, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Georgetown Lake, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 30.
- When is the first frost in Austin, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78717?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 259 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.