When to Plant in Texas: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar

Texas spans USDA hardiness zones 6b–10b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 1952 of its 1989 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is Mar 10 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Feb 2 – Apr 2) and the median first fall frost is Nov 20 (Nov 4 – Dec 11). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.

Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.

How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).

Frost is rare in part of Texas: for 37 of its 1989 ZIP codes (2%), the nearest NOAA station records 32°F in fewer than half of years, so there is no reliable frost date to count from. For those ZIP codes: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension planting dates for all ZIP codes starting 785 (the Lower Rio Grande Valley) (below); other frost-rare ZIP codes: your local Cooperative Extension office.

Texas frost dates by zone area

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.

How this table is built: each Texas ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Zone groups with fewer than 5% of ZIP codes (42 ZIP codes) are left out of the columns. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Altus 3S Mesonet, OK, Altus Afb, OK, Ashdown 4 Sse, AR, Burneyville 2Se Mesont, OK, Cheyenne 6Sw Mesonet, OK, Clayton Muni Air Pk, NM…). For your own ZIP, use the planner.

Texas vegetable planting calendar

Planting dates for each zone area of Texas, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.

Lower Rio Grande Valley gardeners (ZIP codes starting 785): use the Texas A&M AgriLife planting dates below instead of this frost-based table; that guide is written for the Valley’s growing seasons.

Planting dates for the Lower Rio Grande Valley (Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy and Starr counties)

For all ZIP codes starting 785 (the Lower Rio Grande Valley), the planner uses this Texas A&M AgriLife Extension table instead of frost dates, because it is written for local conditions (including ZIP codes with occasional frost).

Source: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Vegetable Crops of the Lower Rio Grande Valley (planting guide). Days to harvest: the guide’s “Days Required to Harvest” column. The guide does not say whether dates are for seed or transplants. Harvest windows add those days to the planting dates and vary with variety and weather. Not in this table: Basil, Marigolds, Zinnias, Tulips, Daffodils, Garlic.

Other frost-rare Texas ZIP codes are not covered by this table; check with your local Cooperative Extension office (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension county offices).

Texas USDA zone guides: Zone 6 planting guide Zone 7 planting guide Zone 8 planting guide Zone 9 planting guide Zone 10 planting guide

How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).

Tips for Texas gardeners

• Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
• Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
• Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension county offices or the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
• Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.

Other state planting calendars

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