Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 78735 (Austin, 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, Austin-camp Mabry, TX (7 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)291 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
70°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 69°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Pecan Grove Farms (23 mi), Jim Embree Williamson (24 mi), Texas State University Round Rock (24 mi).
4-inch depth
73°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Pecan Grove Farms (23 mi), Jim Embree Williamson (24 mi), Texas State University Round Rock (24 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 78735 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 73°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). 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 7 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 24–Oct 22
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 8–29
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 8–29
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 8–Nov 5
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 24–Oct 22
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 3: 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 23 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 20 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 14 |
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 15 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 3 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 1 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 6 | Nov 22 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 20 | Dec 3 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 1 | Dec 27 |
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 78735
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 20) and first fall frost (Dec 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 | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 12–26 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 12–26 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Jan 30–Feb 20 (transplant) Jan 23–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–29 (transplant) Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–29 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Jan 23–Feb 20 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 12–26 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 12–26 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 12–26 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 23–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 9–23 | Feb 6–27 (transplant) Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 30–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 16–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 23–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 30–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 26–Jan 23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 9–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 22–Nov 19 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 9–23 (transplant) | Oct 22–Nov 19 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Aug 13–27 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 13–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 23–30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 23–30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 23–30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 23–30 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 23–30 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 9–23 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Feb 27–Mar 6 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 9–23 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 12–26 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Jan 30–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Sep 24–Oct 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 February 20 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Austin-camp Mabry, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00013958), elevation 670 ft, 7.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dripping Springs 6 E, TX | 8 mi | Mar 17 | Nov 13 |
| Austin 6S, TX | 9 mi | Mar 10 | Nov 17 |
| Austin Great Hills, TX | 12 mi | Mar 11 | Nov 20 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 28 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78735
When is the last frost in 78735?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78735 is February 20. For a more cautious planting date, use March 14, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78735?
The average first fall freeze is December 3. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 15.
What hardiness zone is 78735?
ZIP 78735 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 78735 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
78733 Austin 78749 Austin 78746 Austin 78736 Austin 78745 Austin 78703 Austin 78704 Austin 78739 Austin
Other ZIP codes in Travis County
78617 78641 78645 78652 78653 78660 78669 78701 78702 78703 78704 78705 78712 78719 78721 78722 78723 78724 78725 78726 78727 78728 78730 78731 All Travis 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.