Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 78226 (San Antonio, 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, San Antonio Kelly AFB, TX (1 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)284 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°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
74°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 EAA Field Research Park (22 mi), Strey Ranch (30 mi), Springs Hill SUD Plant (36 mi).
4-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 75°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of EAA Field Research Park (22 mi), Strey Ranch (30 mi), Springs Hill SUD Plant (36 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 78226 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 76°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 September to early October).
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 Apr 9 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
- Lettuce: fall sowing Sep 23–Oct 21
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 7–28
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 7–28
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 7–21
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 7–Nov 4
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 7–21
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 7–21
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 7–21
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 23–Oct 21
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 2: 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) | Jan 16 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 22 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 12 |
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 13 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 2 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 25 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 5 | Nov 22 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 22 | Dec 2 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 1 | Dec 16 |
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 78226
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 22) and first fall frost (Dec 2). 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 28–Jan 11 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) | Aug 5–Sep 2 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 14–28 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 2 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 14–28 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 2 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Feb 1–22 (transplant) Jan 25–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–28 (transplant) Sep 23–Oct 21 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 11–Feb 1 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–28 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) Jan 25–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–Oct 7 (transplant) Aug 26–Sep 23 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Jan 25–Feb 22 (transplant) Jan 25–Feb 22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–Oct 7 (transplant) Aug 26–Sep 23 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 14–28 | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | Aug 26–Sep 23 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 14–28 | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | Aug 26–Sep 23 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 14–28 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 26–Sep 23 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 30–Dec 14 | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 2 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) Jan 25–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 25–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–21 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 25–Feb 22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–Nov 4 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 25–Feb 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–21 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 11–25 | Feb 8–Mar 1 (transplant) Feb 8–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 25–Feb 22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 1–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 18–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Oct 21–Nov 4 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 25–Feb 15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 28–Jan 25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 30–Dec 14 | Jan 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 11–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 30–Dec 14 | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 21–Nov 18 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 11–25 (transplant) | Oct 21–Nov 18 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | Aug 12–26 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 15–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 11–25 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 30–Dec 14 | Mar 1–8 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 11–25 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 8–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–21 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 14–28 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) Feb 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–21 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | Sep 23–Oct 21 (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 22 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: San Antonio Kelly AFB, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00012909), elevation 682 ft, 0.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: E (estimated from nearby stations).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio Stinson AP, TX | 7 mi | Feb 20 | Dec 3 |
| San Antonio Incarnate Word, TX | 8 mi | Feb 25 | Nov 28 |
| San Antonio/seaworld, TX | 9 mi | Feb 18 | Dec 9 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 7 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78226
When is the last frost in 78226?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78226 is February 22. For a more cautious planting date, use March 12, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78226?
The average first fall freeze is December 2. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 13.
What hardiness zone is 78226?
ZIP 78226 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 78226 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
78243 78237 San Antonio 78225 San Antonio 78211 San Antonio 78236 Lackland AFB 78242 San Antonio 78207 San Antonio 78204 San Antonio
Other ZIP codes in Bexar County
78002 78023 78073 78101 78109 78112 78148 78150 78152 78154 78201 78202 78203 78204 78205 78207 78208 78209 78210 78211 78212 78213 78214 78215 All Bexar 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.