State growing guide
Texas Planting Guide
USDA Zone 8a/8b · Last frost Mar 1 · First frost Nov 25 · 269 days
Zone-specific planting calendar, major city frost dates, top crops, and Duke's tips for growing food in Texas.
Frost Dates by City — Texas
Average frost dates for major Texas cities. Use these to calculate your indoor start dates and transplant windows.
| City | USDA Zone | Last Spring Frost | First Fall Frost | Tomato Transplant Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 9a | Feb 12 | Dec 10 | ~2 wks after (Feb 12) |
| Dallas | 8a | Mar 10 | Nov 20 | ~2 wks after (Mar 10) |
| Austin | 8b | Feb 22 | Dec 1 | ~2 wks after (Feb 22) |
| San Antonio | 8b | Feb 22 | Dec 1 | ~2 wks after (Feb 22) |
| Fort Worth | 8a | Mar 15 | Nov 15 | ~2 wks after (Mar 15) |
| El Paso | 8a | Mar 1 | Nov 25 | ~2 wks after (Mar 1) |
| Lubbock | 7a | Apr 1 | Oct 30 | ~2 wks after (Apr 1) |
| Amarillo | 6b | Apr 20 | Oct 20 | ~2 wks after (Apr 20) |
| McAllen | 9b | Jan 30 | Dec 15 | ~2 wks after (Jan 30) |
| Corpus Christi | 9a | Feb 12 | Dec 10 | ~2 wks after (Feb 12) |
Average dates based on 30-year NOAA climate normals. Individual years may vary ±2 weeks. Use the Zone Lookup Tool for ZIP-specific dates.
Duke's Top Tips for Texas Gardeners
- Texas has two tomato seasons: spring (Feb–May) and fall (Aug–Oct)
- Summer heat above 95°F stops tomato fruit set — rest garden or grow heat-tolerant crops
- Dallas and Fort Worth transplant tomatoes mid-February to early March
- Houston gardeners can plant in January for spring tomatoes
- Mulch heavily in Texas — soil dries out fast in summer heat
Common Challenges in Texas
- ⚠ Summer heat (100–115°F across much of Texas) kills tomato fruit set June–August
- ⚠ Extreme drought in summer demands consistent deep watering
- ⚠ Root-knot nematodes damage roots throughout East and South Texas
Best Crops for Texas
Get exact dates for your ZIP code in Texas
City averages are a starting point. Your actual microclimate matters — enter your ZIP for precise frost dates.
Frequently Asked Questions — Texas Gardening
What zone is Texas?
Texas spans Zone 6a (Amarillo Panhandle) to Zone 9b (Rio Grande Valley/McAllen). Dallas is Zone 8a, Austin/San Antonio are Zone 8b, Houston is Zone 9a, and the Valley (McAllen, Brownsville) is Zone 9b.
When to plant tomatoes in Texas?
Two seasons! Spring: Houston starts in January, Austin/San Antonio in early February, Dallas in late February–March, Amarillo in mid-April. Fall: start seeds in July, transplant August for all Texas below Zone 7.
What can I grow in Texas summer heat?
Heat-tolerant Texas summer crops include okra, sweet potatoes, black-eyed peas, Armenian cucumber, and Malabar spinach. Most standard vegetables struggle above 100°F.