Fall in zone 8bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 76598 (Gatesville, TX)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Gatesville, TX (5 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 1950% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)236 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
71°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 70°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of City of Troy (32 mi), Doc Curb Pump Station (35 mi), River Ridge Ranch (35 mi).
4-inch depth
72°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 72°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of City of Troy (32 mi), Doc Curb Pump Station (35 mi), River Ridge Ranch (35 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 76598 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 72°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: South Central plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about May 4 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 9: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Feb 26 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 19 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 7 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 25 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 9 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 30 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 2 | Nov 1 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 19 | Nov 9 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 5 | Nov 20 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 76598
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 19) and first fall frost (Nov 9). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 22–Feb 5 | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) | Jul 13–Aug 10 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 8–22 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 10 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 8–22 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 10 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 22–Feb 5 | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 22–Feb 5 | Feb 26–Mar 19 (transplant) Feb 19–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–Oct 5 (transplant) Aug 31–Sep 28 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 5–26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–Oct 5 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 22–Feb 5 | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) Feb 19–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (transplant) Aug 3–31 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 22–Feb 5 | Feb 19–Mar 19 (transplant) Feb 19–Mar 19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (transplant) Aug 3–31 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 8–22 | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) | Aug 3–31 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 8–22 | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) | Aug 3–31 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 8–22 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) | Aug 3–31 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 25–Jan 8 | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 10 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 22–Feb 5 | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) Feb 19–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 19–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 19–Mar 19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 19–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 5–19 | Mar 5–26 (transplant) Mar 5–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 19–Mar 19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 26–Mar 26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 12–Mar 26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 19–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 26–Mar 19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 22–Feb 19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 25–Jan 8 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 5–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 25–Jan 8 | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 28–Oct 26 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 5–19 (transplant) | Sep 28–Oct 26 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 26–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 26–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 26–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 19–26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) Mar 26–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 19–26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) Mar 26–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 19–26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) Mar 26–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 26–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 19–26 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) Apr 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 19–26 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) Apr 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 5–19 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) Apr 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 25–Jan 8 | Mar 26–Apr 2 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 5–19 | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) Mar 26–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 5–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 8–22 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) Feb 26–Mar 19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 19–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 19–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 28 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Texas A&M AgriLife trials name plants that handle Texas conditions: the Texas Superstar® list and the low-care roses from AgriLife trials. Plant frost-tender annuals after March 19 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Gatesville, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00413485), elevation 826 ft, 4.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mcgregor, TX | 20 mi | Mar 15 | Nov 18 |
| Evant 1SSW, TX | 25 mi | Mar 15 | Nov 18 |
| Killeen, TX | 28 mi | Mar 14 | Nov 17 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 5 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 76598
When is the last frost in 76598?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 76598 is March 19. For a more cautious planting date, use April 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 76598?
The average first fall freeze is November 9. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 25.
What hardiness zone is 76598?
ZIP 76598 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 76598 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
76596 Gatesville 76599 Gatesville 76597 Gatesville 76528 Gatesville 76544 Fort Hood 76561 Oglesby 76538 76566
Other ZIP codes in Coryell County
76522 76528 76544 76561 76566 76596 76597 76599 All Coryell County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.