Frost dates for 78750Austin, 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 20 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 78750 is matched to the NOAA station Austin Great Hills, TX, 3 km away, at 880 ft elevation (33 ft higher 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 |
| Austin 6S, TX | 570 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 17 |
| Austin Bergstrom Ap, TX | 480 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Austin
- Austin, TX 78726 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Cedar Park, TX 78613 · last Mar 6, first Nov 24
- Mc Neil, TX 78651 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Round Rock, TX 78681 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Pflugerville, TX 78660 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Leander, TX 78645 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Georgetown, TX 78628 · last Mar 6, first Nov 24
- Hutto, TX 78634 · last Mar 8, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Austin, TX?
- For ZIP code 78750, 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 78750?
- 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.