Frost dates for 78763Austin, TX
The average last spring frost in Austin is March 4 and the average first fall frost is November 24, giving a typical growing season of about 264 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 24
- Growing season
- 264 days
Safer after Mar 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 5 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 23 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 28 · Mar 18 · Apr 6 | Oct 31 · Nov 12 · Nov 30 | 240 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 4 · Mar 23 | Nov 5 · Nov 24 · Dec 13 | 264 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 18 · Feb 21 · Mar 13 | Nov 17 · Dec 9 · Jan 5 | 295 days | 99% |
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 1 – Apr 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Aug 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Mar 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – May 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Aug 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 21 – Jan 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Feb 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Apr 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 14 – Dec 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78763 is matched to the NOAA station Elgin 1 N, TX, 18.5 km away, at 594 ft elevation (76 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elgin 1 N, TX (used) | 594 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 24 |
| Austin-Camp Mabry, TX | 670 ft | Feb 20 | Dec 3 |
| Austin Bergstrom Ap, TX | 480 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 16 |
| Austin 6S, TX | 570 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 17 |
Frost dates near Austin
- Manor, TX 78653 · last Mar 4, first Nov 24
- Austin, TX 78724 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Pflugerville, TX 78691 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Elgin, TX 78621 · last Mar 4, first Nov 24
- Del Valle, TX 78617 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Mc Neil, TX 78651 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Hutto, TX 78634 · last Mar 8, first Nov 21
- Round Rock, TX 78681 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Austin, TX?
- For ZIP code 78763, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elgin 1 N, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 23.
- 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 78763?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 264 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.