Frost dates for 78735Austin, TX
The average last spring frost in Austin is February 20 and the average first fall frost is December 3, giving a typical growing season of about 291 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 20
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 3
- Growing season
- 291 days
Safer after Mar 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 15 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 47 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 14 · Mar 6 · Mar 27 | Nov 5 · Nov 22 · Dec 10 | 261 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 23 · Feb 20 · Mar 14 | Nov 15 · Dec 3 · Jan 1 | 291 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 29 · Feb 1 · Mar 3 | Nov 27 · Dec 27 · Feb 1 | 329 days | 88% |
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 | Jan 20 – Mar 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 8 – Aug 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 20 – Feb 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Mar 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Aug 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Apr 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Sep 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Aug 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 9 – Jan 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Feb 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Sep 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 23 – Jan 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Apr 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Oct 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 9 – Oct 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Oct 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Feb 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 23 – Dec 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78735 is matched to the NOAA station Austin-Camp Mabry, TX, 11.2 km away, at 670 ft elevation (98 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin-Camp Mabry, TX (used) | 670 ft | Feb 20 | Dec 3 |
| Austin 6S, TX | 570 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 17 |
| Dripping Springs 6 E, TX | 1,084 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 13 |
| Austin Bergstrom Ap, TX | 480 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Austin
- Austin, TX 78749 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Mc Neil, TX 78651 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Manchaca, TX 78652 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Buda, TX 78610 · last Feb 28, first Nov 29
- Del Valle, TX 78617 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Driftwood, TX 78619 · last Mar 17, first Nov 13
- Dripping Springs, TX 78620 · last Mar 17, first Nov 13
- Leander, TX 78645 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Austin, TX?
- For ZIP code 78735, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Austin-Camp Mabry, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 14.
- When is the first frost in Austin, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78735?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 291 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.