Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 78749 (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 6S, TX (7 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 1050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)252 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 (21 mi), Jim Embree Williamson (26 mi), Texas State University Round Rock (27 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 (21 mi), Jim Embree Williamson (26 mi), Texas State University Round Rock (27 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 78749 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 25 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
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 22–Oct 20
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 6–Nov 3
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 6–Nov 3
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 17: 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) | Feb 20 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 10 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 31 |
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 1 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 17 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 6 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 25 | Nov 6 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 10 | Nov 17 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 28 | Dec 1 |
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 78749
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 10) and first fall frost (Nov 17). 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 13–27 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Jul 21–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 13–27 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 13–27 | Feb 17–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 10–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 13 (transplant) Sep 8–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 27–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 13–27 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) Feb 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (transplant) Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 13–27 | Feb 10–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 10–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (transplant) Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 16–30 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 13–27 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) Feb 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 10–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 20 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 10–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Feb 24–Mar 17 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 10–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 3–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 10–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 17–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 13–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 16–30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 27–Feb 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 16–30 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 6–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | Oct 6–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 31–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 10–17 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 10–17 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 10–17 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 10–17 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 10–17 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 16–30 | Mar 17–24 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 24–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | Sep 8–Oct 6 (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 March 10 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Austin 6S, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00410431), elevation 570 ft, 7.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dripping Springs 6 E, TX | 8 mi | Mar 17 | Nov 13 |
| Austin-camp Mabry, TX | 9 mi | Feb 20 | Dec 3 |
| Austin Bergstrom AP, TX | 11 mi | Mar 12 | Nov 16 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 28 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78749
When is the last frost in 78749?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78749 is March 10. For a more cautious planting date, use March 31, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78749?
The average first fall freeze is November 17. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 1.
What hardiness zone is 78749?
ZIP 78749 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 78749 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
78739 Austin 78745 Austin 78735 Austin 78748 Austin 78652 Austin 78704 Austin 78736 Austin 78746 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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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.