Frost dates for 78737Austin, TX
The average last spring frost in Austin is March 17 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 242 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 17
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 242 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 17 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 9 · Mar 31 · Apr 18 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 22 | 219 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 17 · Apr 7 | Oct 29 · Nov 13 · Dec 4 | 242 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 4 · Mar 25 | Nov 5 · Nov 26 · Dec 19 | 268 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 14 – Apr 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – May 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78737 is matched to the NOAA station Dripping Springs 6 E, TX, 4.4 km away, at 1,084 ft elevation (47 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dripping Springs 6 E, TX (used) | 1,084 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 13 |
| Austin 6S, TX | 570 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 17 |
| Austin-Camp Mabry, TX | 670 ft | Feb 20 | Dec 3 |
| Austin Bergstrom Ap, TX | 480 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Austin
- Austin, TX 78736 · last Mar 17, first Nov 13
- Manchaca, TX 78652 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Driftwood, TX 78619 · last Mar 17, first Nov 13
- Dripping Springs, TX 78620 · last Mar 17, first Nov 13
- Buda, TX 78610 · last Feb 28, first Nov 29
- San Marcos, TX 78667 · last Mar 17, first Nov 13
- Mc Neil, TX 78651 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Spicewood, TX 78669 · last Mar 17, first Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Austin, TX?
- For ZIP code 78737, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dripping Springs 6 E, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Austin, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78737?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 242 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.