Fall in zone 10aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 78503 (McAllen, 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, Mcallen Miller Intl AP, TX (2 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 29% 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 950% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostJan 3 (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
74°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Weslaco (18 mi), Texas AgriScience (25 mi), Edinburg 17 NNE (28 mi).
4-inch depth
77°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 75°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Weslaco (18 mi), Texas AgriScience (25 mi), Edinburg 17 NNE (28 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 78503 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 77°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 17 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 Sep 27–Oct 25
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 11–Nov 8
- Collards: fall sowing Sep 27–Oct 25
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 11–Nov 8
- Broccoli: fall transplant Sep 27–Oct 25
- Cabbage: fall transplant Sep 27–Oct 25
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Sep 27–Oct 25
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 17–31
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 17–31
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 17–31
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 17–31
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Oct 31–Nov 14
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Oct 31–Nov 14
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 25–Nov 22
- Lettuce: fall transplant Nov 8–29
- Spinach: fall sowing Nov 8–29
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Oct 31–Nov 14
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Oct 31–Nov 14
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Oct 31–Nov 14
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 25–Nov 8
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Nov 8–22
- Arugula: fall sowing Nov 8–Dec 6
- Mustard greens: fall sowing 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 17 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 9 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 13 |
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 11 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Jan 3 (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 19 | Dec 29 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 9 | Jan 3 (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 78503
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 9) and first fall frost (Jan 3). 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 14–28 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Sep 6–Oct 4 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Sep 13–Oct 4 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Sep 13–Oct 4 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 14–28 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 14–28 | Dec 19–Jan 9 (transplant) Dec 12–Jan 23 (sow outdoors) | Nov 8–29 (transplant) Oct 25–Nov 22 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Nov 28–Dec 19 (sow outdoors) | Nov 8–29 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 14–28 | Dec 12–26 (transplant) Dec 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–Nov 8 (transplant) Sep 27–Oct 25 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 14–28 | Dec 12–Jan 9 (transplant) Dec 12–Jan 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–Nov 8 (transplant) Sep 27–Oct 25 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 27–Oct 25 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 27–Oct 25 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Dec 26–Jan 9 (transplant) | Sep 27–Oct 25 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 17–31 | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 13–Oct 4 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 14–28 | Dec 12–26 (transplant) Dec 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Nov 8–22 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 12–Jan 9 (sow outdoors) | Nov 8–Dec 6 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 12–Jan 2 (sow outdoors) | Nov 8–22 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Dec 26–Jan 16 (transplant) Dec 26–Jan 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 12–Jan 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 19–Jan 16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 5–Jan 16 (sow outdoors) | Nov 22–Dec 6 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 12–Jan 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 19–Jan 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 14–Dec 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 17–31 | Nov 28–Dec 12 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Nov 28–Dec 26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 17–31 | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 22–Dec 20 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Nov 28–Dec 12 (transplant) | Nov 22–Dec 20 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 13–27 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jan 30–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 12–19 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 12–19 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 12–19 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 12–19 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 12–19 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 17–31 | Jan 16–23 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 26–Jan 23 (sow outdoors) | Nov 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Dec 26–Jan 9 (transplant) Dec 19–Jan 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Nov 8–22 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | Oct 25–Nov 22 (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 9 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Mcallen Miller Intl AP, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00012959), elevation 100 ft, 1.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mcallen, TX | 2 mi | Jan 9 | Jan 1 (next year) |
| Edinburg, TX | 11 mi | Jan 8 | Jan 2 (next year) |
| La Joya, TX | 12 mi | Jan 23 | Dec 28 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 15 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78503
When is the last frost in 78503?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78503 is January 9. For a more cautious planting date, use February 13, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78503?
The average first fall freeze is January 3 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 11.
What hardiness zone is 78503?
ZIP 78503 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 78503 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
78577 Pharr 78557 Hidalgo 78501 McAllen 78589 San Juan 78572 Mission 78504 McAllen 78516 Alamo 78539 Edinburg
Other ZIP codes in Hidalgo County
78501 78504 78516 78537 78538 78539 78540 78541 78542 78543 78549 78557 78558 78560 78562 78563 78565 78570 78572 78573 78574 78576 78577 78579 All Hidalgo 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.