Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 77079 (Houston, 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, Houston Sugarland Mem, TX (11 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 250% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 1150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)318 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°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
69°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 68°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Prairie View #1 (31 mi), Wied Ranch (56 mi).
4-inch depth
71°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 70°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Prairie View #1 (31 mi), Wied Ranch (56 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 77079 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 71°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: Gulf Coast and peninsular Florida. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- St. Augustinegrass (warm-season): Spring: About 2–3 weeks after full green-up (May in the Carolinas; earlier in Florida and south Texas) (about Mar 13 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Light feedings June–August where local rules allow; Last: No later than about mid-September in the Carolinas, about 6–8 weeks before first frost elsewhere. Avoid: Feeding before green-up or late in fall (feeds weeds and favors large patch and cold injury).
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 2–30
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 16–Nov 6
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 16–Nov 6
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 16–Nov 13
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 2–30
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 30–Nov 13
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 30–Nov 27
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 30–Nov 27
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 11: 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) | Dec 28 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 2 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 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) | Nov 20 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 11 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 16 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Feb 26 | Nov 27 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 2 | Dec 11 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 18 | Jan 1 (next year) |
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 77079
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 2) and first fall frost (Dec 11). 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 | Dec 8–22 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 11 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 11 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 8–22 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 8–22 | Jan 12–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 5–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–Nov 6 (transplant) Oct 2–30 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 22–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 8–22 | Jan 5–19 (transplant) Jan 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 16 (transplant) Sep 4–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 8–22 | Jan 5–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 5–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 16 (transplant) Sep 4–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 5–19 (transplant) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 5–19 (transplant) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 10–24 | Jan 5–19 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 11 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 8–22 | Jan 5–19 (transplant) Jan 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 5–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 5–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Jan 19–Feb 9 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 5–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 12–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 29–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 30–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 5–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 12–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 8–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 10–24 | Dec 22–Jan 5 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 22–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 10–24 | Jan 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 30–Nov 27 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 22–Jan 5 (transplant) | Oct 30–Nov 27 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 5–19 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 23–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 5–12 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 5–12 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 5–12 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 5–12 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 5–12 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 10–24 | Feb 9–16 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 12–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 5–19 (transplant) | Oct 2–30 (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 February 2 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Houston Sugarland Mem, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00012977), elevation 82 ft, 11.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Land, TX | 11 mi | Feb 9 | Dec 13 |
| Houston-port, TX | 20 mi | Feb 2 | Dec 25 |
| Houston Intercont AP, TX | 20 mi | Feb 13 | Dec 9 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 11 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 77079
When is the last frost in 77079?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 77079 is February 2. For a more cautious planting date, use March 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 77079?
The average first fall freeze is December 11. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 20.
What hardiness zone is 77079?
ZIP 77079 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 77079 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
77043 Houston 77077 Houston 77042 Houston 77082 Houston 77084 Houston 77072 Houston 77080 Houston 77041 Houston
Other ZIP codes in Harris County
77002 77003 77004 77005 77006 77007 77008 77009 77010 77011 77012 77013 77014 77015 77016 77017 77018 77019 77020 77021 77022 77023 77024 77025 All Harris County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- 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.