Frost dates for 78729Austin, TX
The average last spring frost in Austin is March 11 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 254 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 11
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 254 days
Safer after Mar 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 24 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 6 · Mar 25 · Apr 11 | Oct 27 · Nov 10 · Nov 27 | 231 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 11 · Mar 29 | Nov 3 · Nov 20 · Dec 9 | 254 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 31 · Mar 1 · Mar 19 | Nov 12 · Dec 3 · Dec 29 | 278 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 8 – Apr 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – May 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78729 is matched to the NOAA station Austin Great Hills, TX, 4.2 km away, at 880 ft elevation (6 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Great Hills, TX (used) | 880 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 20 |
| Austin-Camp Mabry, TX | 670 ft | Feb 20 | Dec 3 |
| Georgetown Lake, TX | 874 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 24 |
| Austin 6S, TX | 570 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 17 |
Frost dates near Austin
- Austin, TX 78750 · last Mar 11, first Nov 20
- Cedar Park, TX 78613 · last Mar 6, first Nov 24
- Round Rock, TX 78681 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Pflugerville, TX 78660 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Mc Neil, TX 78651 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Leander, TX 78646 · last Mar 6, first Nov 24
- Hutto, TX 78634 · last Mar 8, first Nov 21
- Georgetown, TX 78628 · last Mar 6, first Nov 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Austin, TX?
- For ZIP code 78729, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Austin Great Hills, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 29.
- When is the first frost in Austin, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78729?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 254 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.