Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 77539 (Texas City, 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 Nwso, TX (4 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJan 3150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)317 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
72°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 Beaumont (61 mi).
4-inch depth
74°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 72°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Beaumont (61 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 77539 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 74°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 11 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 5–Nov 2
- Kale: fall transplant Sep 21–Oct 19
- Collards: fall transplant Sep 21–Oct 19
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 5–19
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 5–19
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 5–19
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 5–19
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 5–19
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 5–Nov 2
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 19–Nov 9
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 19–Nov 9
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 19–Nov 2
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 19–Nov 16
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 19–Nov 2
- Radish: fall sowing Nov 2–16
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Leek: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Garlic: fall sowing Nov 2–30
- Shallot: fall sowing Nov 2–30
- Celery: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
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 25 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 31 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 5 |
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 19 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 14 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 19 (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 22 | Nov 29 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 31 | Dec 14 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 17 | Jan 3 (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 77539
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 31) and first fall frost (Dec 14). 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 6–20 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 24–Sep 14 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 24–Sep 14 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 6–20 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 6–20 | Jan 10–31 (transplant) Jan 3–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 19–Nov 9 (transplant) Oct 5–Nov 2 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 20–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 19–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 6–20 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) Jan 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 21–Oct 19 (transplant) Sep 7–Oct 5 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 6–20 | Jan 3–31 (transplant) Jan 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 21–Oct 19 (transplant) Sep 7–Oct 5 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 7–Oct 5 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 7–Oct 5 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 7–Oct 5 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 8–22 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 24–Sep 14 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 6–20 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) Jan 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 5–19 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 19–Nov 2 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 19–Nov 16 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 19–Nov 2 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Jan 17–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 17–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 5–19 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 5–19 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 10–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 21–Oct 5 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 27–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Nov 2–16 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 5–19 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 6–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 21–Oct 5 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 8–22 | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 20–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 5–19 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 8–22 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 2–30 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | Nov 2–30 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 24–Sep 7 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 21–Oct 5 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 21–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 3–10 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 21–Oct 5 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 3–10 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 21–Oct 5 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 3–10 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 3–10 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 3–10 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 8–22 | Feb 7–14 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 17–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 19–Nov 2 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 19–Nov 2 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Oct 5–Nov 2 (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 January 31 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Houston Nwso, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00414333), elevation 19 ft, 3.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Clover Fld, TX | 14 mi | Jan 31 | Dec 27 |
| Alvin, TX | 14 mi | Feb 14 | Dec 5 |
| Galveston Scholes Fld, TX | 16 mi | Jan 18 | Jan 7 (next year) |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 27 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 77539
When is the last frost in 77539?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 77539 is January 31. For a more cautious planting date, use March 5, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 77539?
The average first fall freeze is December 14. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 19.
What hardiness zone is 77539?
ZIP 77539 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 77539 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
77591 Texas City 77518 Bacliff 77573 League City 77565 Kemah 77568 La Marque 77510 Santa Fe 77590 Texas City 77058 Houston
Other ZIP codes in Galveston County
77510 77517 77518 77546 77550 77551 77554 77555 77563 77565 77568 77573 77590 77591 77617 77623 77650 All Galveston 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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- Weekly yard to-dos
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.