Fall in zone 10aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 78412 (Corpus Christi, 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, Corpus Christi NAS, TX (4 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 31% of years (about 1 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 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostJan 8 (next year)50% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)year-round in a typical yearmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone10a30 to 35°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
75°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 71°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of RB Farms Inc (32 mi), Kingsville (35 mi), LaRosa Ranch Refugio (40 mi).
4-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 74°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of RB Farms Inc (32 mi), Kingsville (35 mi), LaRosa Ranch Refugio (40 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 78412 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 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 Feb 22 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
- Kale: fall sowing Oct 2–30
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 16–Nov 13
- Collards: fall sowing Oct 2–30
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 16–Nov 13
- Broccoli: fall transplant Oct 2–30
- Cabbage: fall transplant Oct 2–30
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Oct 2–30
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 16–30
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Nov 5–19
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Nov 5–19
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 30–Nov 27
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Nov 5–19
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Nov 5–19
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Nov 5–19
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 22–Nov 5
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 30–Nov 13
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 30–Nov 13
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 30–Nov 13
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 30–Nov 13
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 22–Nov 5
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 23 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 14 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 20 |
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) | Dec 18 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Jan 8 (next year) |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 9 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jan 28 | Jan 3 (next year) |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 14 | Jan 8 (next year) |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | n/a | n/a |
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 78412
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 14) and first fall frost (Jan 8). 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 19–Dec 3 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 9 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 5–19 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) | Sep 18–Oct 9 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 5–19 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) | Sep 18–Oct 9 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Dec 24–Jan 14 (transplant) Dec 17–Jan 28 (sow outdoors) | Nov 13–Dec 4 (transplant) Oct 30–Nov 27 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Nov 13–Dec 4 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Dec 17–31 (transplant) Dec 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–Nov 13 (transplant) Oct 2–30 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Dec 17–Jan 14 (transplant) Dec 17–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–Nov 13 (transplant) Oct 2–30 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 5–19 | Dec 17–31 (transplant) | Oct 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 5–19 | Dec 17–31 (transplant) | Oct 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 5–19 | Dec 31–Jan 14 (transplant) | Oct 2–30 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 22–Nov 5 | Dec 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 18–Oct 9 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Dec 17–31 (transplant) Dec 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 30–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Nov 13–27 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 17–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | Nov 13–Dec 11 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 17–Jan 7 (sow outdoors) | Nov 13–27 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 3–17 | Dec 31–Jan 21 (transplant) Dec 31–Jan 28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 30–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 17–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 30–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 24–Jan 21 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 10–Jan 21 (sow outdoors) | Nov 27–Dec 11 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 17–Jan 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 30–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 24–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 19–Dec 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 22–Nov 5 | Dec 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 30–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 22–Nov 5 | Dec 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 27–Dec 25 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 3–17 (transplant) | Nov 27–Dec 25 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 28–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 4–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 17–24 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 17–24 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 17–24 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 17–24 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 28–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 17–24 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 28–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 3–17 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 28–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 22–Nov 5 | Jan 21–28 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 3–17 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 31–Jan 28 (sow outdoors) | Nov 13–27 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 5–19 | Dec 31–Jan 14 (transplant) Dec 24–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Nov 13–27 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 17–31 (transplant) | Oct 30–Nov 27 (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 14 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Corpus Christi NAS, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00012926), elevation 18 ft, 4.0 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C C Botanical Gardens, TX | 4 mi | Jan 29 | Dec 24 |
| Corpus Christi Cabaniss Fld, TX | 5 mi | Jan 15 | Dec 30 |
| Corpus Christi NWS, TX | 11 mi | Jan 31 | Dec 22 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 17 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78412
When is the last frost in 78412?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78412 is January 14. For a more cautious planting date, use February 20, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78412?
The average first fall freeze is January 8 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 18.
What hardiness zone is 78412?
ZIP 78412 is in USDA zone 10a (30 to 35°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 78412 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
78411 Corpus Christi 78414 Corpus Christi 78413 Corpus Christi 78419 Corpus Christi 78404 Corpus Christi 78416 Corpus Christi 78401 Corpus Christi 78405 Corpus Christi
Other ZIP codes in Nueces County
78330 78339 78343 78347 78351 78373 78380 78401 78402 78404 78405 78406 78407 78408 78409 78410 78411 78413 78414 78415 78416 78417 78419 All Nueces 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.