Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 78257 (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 Intl AP, TX (9 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)277 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
71°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 68°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station EAA Field Research Park, 12 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 83°, Fri 77°, Sat 71°.
4-inch depth
73°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 72°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station EAA Field Research Park, 12 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 83°, Fri 78°, Sat 73°.
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 78257 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 73°F at 4 inches. 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 Apr 13 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 transplant Oct 3–24
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 3–24
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 3–31
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 17–31
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 17–Nov 14
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 17–Nov 14
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 28: 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 29 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 26 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 17 |
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 7 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 28 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 22 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 10 | Nov 16 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 26 | Nov 28 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 9 | Dec 13 |
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 78257
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 26) and first fall frost (Nov 28). 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 1–15 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) | Aug 1–29 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 8–29 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 8–29 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 1–15 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 1–15 | Feb 5–26 (transplant) Jan 29–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 3–24 (transplant) Sep 19–Oct 17 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 15–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 3–24 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 1–15 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–Oct 3 (transplant) Aug 22–Sep 19 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 1–15 | Jan 29–Feb 26 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–Oct 3 (transplant) Aug 22–Sep 19 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | Aug 22–Sep 19 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | Aug 22–Sep 19 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 22–Sep 19 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 4–18 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | Aug 8–29 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 1–15 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 3–17 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 29–Feb 26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 3–31 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 29–Feb 19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 3–17 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 15–29 | Feb 12–Mar 5 (transplant) Feb 12–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 29–Feb 26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 5–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 22–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–31 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 29–Feb 19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 4–18 | Jan 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 15–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 4–18 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 17–Nov 14 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 15–29 (transplant) | Oct 17–Nov 14 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | Aug 8–22 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 19–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 29–Feb 5 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 29–Feb 5 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 29–Feb 5 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 29–Feb 5 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) Mar 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 29–Feb 5 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) Mar 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 15–29 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) Mar 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 4–18 | Mar 5–12 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 15–29 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 12–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 3–17 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) Feb 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 26–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 3–17 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 26–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | Sep 19–Oct 17 (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 26 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 Intl AP, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00012921), elevation 789 ft, 9.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio Incarnate Word, TX | 14 mi | Feb 25 | Nov 28 |
| Boerne, TX | 14 mi | Mar 15 | Nov 13 |
| San Antonio/seaworld, TX | 15 mi | Feb 18 | Dec 9 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 28 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78257
When is the last frost in 78257?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78257 is February 26. For a more cautious planting date, use March 17, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78257?
The average first fall freeze is November 28. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 7.
What hardiness zone is 78257?
ZIP 78257 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 78257 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
78256 San Antonio 78231 Shavano Park 78255 Cross Mountain 78248 San Antonio 78258 San Antonio 78249 San Antonio 78260 Timberwood Park 78230 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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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.