Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 78842 (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, Amistad Dam, TX (12 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)297 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
64°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 63°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Devils River DAH, 2 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 84°, Fri 69°, Sat 64°.
4-inch depth
66°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 65°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Devils River DAH, 2 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 85°, 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 78842 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 66°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 1 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 27–Oct 25
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 11–Nov 1
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 11–Nov 1
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 11–Nov 8
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 27–Oct 25
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 6: 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 15 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 14 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 9 |
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 16 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 6 |
| 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 1 | Nov 24 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 14 | Dec 6 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 26 | Dec 22 |
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 78842
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 14) and first fall frost (Dec 6). 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 20–Jan 3 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 6–20 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 6–20 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Jan 24–Feb 14 (transplant) Jan 17–Feb 28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–Nov 1 (transplant) Sep 27–Oct 25 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (transplant) Aug 30–Sep 27 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Jan 17–Feb 14 (transplant) Jan 17–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (transplant) Aug 30–Sep 27 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 6–20 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 6–20 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 6–20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 17–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 17–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 3–17 | Jan 31–Feb 21 (transplant) Jan 31–Feb 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 17–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 24–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 10–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 17–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 24–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 20–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 25–Nov 22 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Oct 25–Nov 22 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Aug 16–30 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 17–24 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 17–24 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 17–24 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 17–24 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 17–24 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 3–17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Feb 21–28 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 3–17 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 31–Feb 28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 6–20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 27–Oct 25 (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 14 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Amistad Dam, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00410225), elevation 1,157 ft, 12.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Del Rio 4NW, TX | 17 mi | Feb 19 | Dec 4 |
| Del Rio Intl AP, TX | 19 mi | Feb 16 | Dec 3 |
| Carta Valley, TX | 22 mi | Mar 4 | Nov 20 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 21 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78842
When is the last frost in 78842?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78842 is February 14. For a more cautious planting date, use March 9, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78842?
The average first fall freeze is December 6. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 16.
What hardiness zone is 78842?
ZIP 78842 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 78842 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
78840 Del Rio 78843 Laughlin AFB 78837 78841 78832 Brackettville 78871 78880 Rocksprings 78877 Normandy
Other ZIP codes in Val Verde County
78837 78840 78841 78843 78871 All Val Verde 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.