Frost dates for 78799Austin, TX
The average last spring frost in Austin is March 12 and the average first fall frost is November 16, giving a typical growing season of about 252 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 12
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 16
- Growing season
- 252 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 30 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 4 · Mar 27 · Apr 16 | Oct 25 · Nov 7 · Nov 25 | 226 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 12 · Apr 2 | Nov 1 · Nov 16 · Dec 5 | 252 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 28 · Feb 27 · Mar 19 | Nov 10 · Dec 1 · Dec 25 | 277 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 9 – Apr 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – May 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Apr 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Jan 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 6 – Dec 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78799 is matched to the NOAA station Austin Bergstrom Ap, TX, 11.1 km away, at 480 ft elevation (6 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Bergstrom Ap, TX (used) | 480 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 16 |
| Austin 6S, TX | 570 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 17 |
| Austin-Camp Mabry, TX | 670 ft | Feb 20 | Dec 3 |
| Austin Great Hills, TX | 880 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near Austin
- Austin, TX 78713 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Mc Neil, TX 78651 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Del Valle, TX 78617 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Manchaca, TX 78652 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Manor, TX 78653 · last Mar 4, first Nov 24
- Buda, TX 78610 · last Feb 28, first Nov 29
- Pflugerville, TX 78660 · last Feb 20, first Dec 3
- Cedar Park, TX 78613 · last Mar 6, first Nov 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Austin, TX?
- For ZIP code 78799, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Austin Bergstrom Ap, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 2.
- When is the first frost in Austin, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78799?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 252 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.