Fall in zone 8bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 78841 (Val Verde County, 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, Langtry, TX (6 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)270 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°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
63°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 60°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Baker Suave Lomas, 9 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 85°, Fri 67°, Sat 63°.
4-inch depth
65°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 64°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Baker Suave Lomas, 9 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 86°, Fri 71°, Sat 66°.
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 78841 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 65°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 14 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 2–23
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 2–23
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 2–30
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 16–Nov 13
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 16–Nov 13
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 27: 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 4 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 27 |
| 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 10 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 27 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 13 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 8 | Nov 16 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 27 | Nov 27 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 10 | Dec 8 |
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 78841
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 27) and first fall frost (Nov 27). 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 2–16 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Aug 7–28 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Aug 7–28 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 2–16 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 2–16 | Feb 6–27 (transplant) Jan 30–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–23 (transplant) Sep 18–Oct 16 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 16–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–23 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 2–16 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) Jan 30–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (transplant) Aug 21–Sep 18 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 2–16 | Jan 30–Feb 27 (transplant) Jan 30–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (transplant) Aug 21–Sep 18 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 18 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 18 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 18 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 5–19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | Aug 7–28 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 2–16 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) Jan 30–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 30–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 30–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–30 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 30–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 16–30 | Feb 13–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 13–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 30–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 23–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 30–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 6–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 5–19 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 16–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 5–19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 16–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Oct 16–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | Aug 7–21 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 20–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 16–30 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 5–19 | Mar 6–13 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 16–30 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 13–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) Feb 6–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | Sep 18–Oct 16 (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 27 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Langtry, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00415048), elevation 1,290 ft, 5.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hudspeth Rvr Rch, TX | 21 mi | Mar 10 | Nov 16 |
| Pandale 1 N, TX | 26 mi | Mar 17 | Nov 11 |
| Pandale 11 NE, TX | 29 mi | Mar 10 | Nov 18 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 21 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78841
When is the last frost in 78841?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78841 is February 27. 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 78841?
The average first fall freeze is November 27. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 10.
What hardiness zone is 78841?
ZIP 78841 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 78841 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
78871 78837 78842 78840 Del Rio 78851 76943 Ozona 78843 Laughlin AFB 79781 Sheffield
Other ZIP codes in Val Verde County
78837 78840 78842 78843 78871 All Val Verde County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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- 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.