Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 78040 (Laredo, 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, Laredo 2, TX (4 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 90% of years (about 5 freezing night(s) a year on average). The dates below describe freeze timing for the station's record; in many years there may be no 32°F freeze at all.
- Average last spring frostJan 2550% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)329 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
Freezes are uncommon here, so frost-based timing is rough. Local extension calendars for frost-free areas use months.
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
78°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 74°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Great Horizon Ranch (55 mi), Chaparral WMA (56 mi).
4-inch depth
80°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 79°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Great Horizon Ranch (55 mi), Chaparral WMA (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 78040 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 80°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): not yet. Apply as soil cools toward 70°F (typically October to early November).
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 5 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 8–Nov 5
- Kale: fall transplant Sep 24–Oct 22
- Collards: fall transplant Sep 24–Oct 22
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 8–Nov 5
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 22–Nov 12
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 12
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Nov 2–16
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 5
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 19
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 5
- Radish: fall sowing Nov 5–19
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Nov 2–16
- Leek: start seeds indoors Nov 2–16
- Garlic: fall sowing Nov 5–Dec 3
- Shallot: fall sowing Nov 5–Dec 3
- Celery: start seeds indoors Nov 2–16
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 25 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 25 |
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 23 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 17 |
| 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 13 | Dec 3 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 25 | Dec 17 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 8 | Dec 30 |
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 78040
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 25) and first fall frost (Dec 17). 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 | Nov 30–Dec 14 | Feb 1–15 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 16–30 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 16–30 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 30–Dec 14 | Feb 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 30–Dec 14 | Jan 4–25 (transplant) Dec 28–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 12 (transplant) Oct 8–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 14–Jan 4 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 30–Dec 14 | Dec 28–Jan 11 (transplant) Dec 28–Jan 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (transplant) Sep 10–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 30–Dec 14 | Dec 28–Jan 25 (transplant) Dec 28–Jan 25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (transplant) Sep 10–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 16–30 | Dec 28–Jan 11 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 16–30 | Dec 28–Jan 11 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 16–30 | Jan 11–25 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 2–16 | Dec 28–Jan 11 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 30–Dec 14 | Dec 28–Jan 11 (transplant) Dec 28–Jan 11 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 28–Jan 11 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 28–Jan 25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 19 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 28–Jan 18 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 14–28 | Jan 11–Feb 1 (transplant) Jan 11–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 28–Jan 25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 4–Feb 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 21–Feb 1 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–19 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 28–Jan 18 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 4–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 30–Dec 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 2–16 | Dec 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 14–Jan 11 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 2–16 | Dec 28–Jan 11 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 5–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 14–28 (transplant) | Nov 5–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 28–Jan 11 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 15–Mar 1 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 15–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Feb 1–15 (transplant) Feb 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Feb 1–15 (transplant) Feb 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Feb 1–15 (transplant) Feb 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) Feb 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) Feb 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 14–28 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) Feb 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 2–16 | Feb 1–8 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 14–28 | Feb 1–15 (transplant) Feb 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 11–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 16–30 | Jan 11–25 (transplant) Jan 4–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 25–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 25–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 28–Jan 11 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 28–Jan 11 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 28–Jan 11 (transplant) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (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 25 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Laredo 2, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00415060), elevation 430 ft, 3.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo AFB, TX | 3 mi | Jan 20 | Dec 25 |
| Encinal, TX | 33 mi | Feb 21 | Dec 9 |
| Bruni, TX | 41 mi | Jan 30 | Dec 18 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 32 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78040
When is the last frost in 78040?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78040 is January 25. For a more cautious planting date, use February 25, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78040?
The average first fall freeze is December 17. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 23.
What hardiness zone is 78040?
ZIP 78040 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 78040 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
78041 Laredo 78046 Laredo 78043 Laredo 78044 Ranchitos Las Lomas 78045 Laredo 78369 Mirando City 78371 Oilton 78067 San Ygnacio
Other ZIP codes in Webb County
78019 78041 78043 78044 78045 78046 78344 78369 78371 All Webb 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.