Houston Frost Dates
Houston, TX · USDA Zone 9a
Median (50 percent probability) dates of the last spring and first fall 32°F freeze at Houston Intercontinental Airport, from NOAA 1991-2020 US Climate Normals (station USW00012960).
Houston is in USDA Zone 9a. Plan tender crops around the average last frost (~February) and wrap up before the first fall frost (~December).
Houston planting calendar
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Peppers | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Cucumbers | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Lettuce | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Zucchini | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Carrots | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Beans (bush) | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Peas | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Broccoli | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Spinach | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Kale | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Onions | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Garlic | ||||||||||||
| Potatoes | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Squash (winter) | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Corn | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Radishes | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Beets | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Eggplant | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Basil | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Cilantro | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Parsley | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Pumpkins | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Sunflowers | ● | ● |
Fall planting in Houston
The Houston average first frost is around December 9, which is what sets the fall deadlines below. Each crop needs its days to maturity plus about two weeks for the slower growth of shortening days, minus whatever it can take once light frost arrives.
| Crop | Sow by | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Radishes | Nov 18 | Dec 16 |
| Cilantro | Oct 25 | Dec 9 |
| Kale | Oct 24 | Dec 23 |
| Beets | Oct 22 | Dec 16 |
| Lettuce | Oct 20 | Dec 9 |
| Carrots | Oct 14 | Dec 23 |
| Broccoli | Oct 12 | Dec 16 |
| Peas | Oct 10 | Dec 9 |
| Zucchini | Sep 17 | Nov 11 |
| Beans (bush) | Sep 17 | Nov 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sep 12 | Nov 11 |
| Potatoes | Sep 6 | Dec 5 |
| Tomatoes | Aug 28 | Nov 11 |
| Peppers | Aug 23 | Nov 11 |
| Eggplant | Aug 18 | Nov 11 |
Planted in fall to overwinter in Houston: garlic ( Dec 9 to Jan 6) , onions ( Oct 28 to Nov 18) , spinach ( Oct 28 to Nov 11) , parsley ( Oct 28 to Nov 11) . See when to plant garlic and the fall planting calendar by zone.
Planning around Houston's frost dates
- What to plant in October by zone
The October sowing and planting list for Houston.
- What to plant in November by zone
What still goes in the ground in November in Houston.
- Cold frame gardening by zone
How many weeks a cold frame adds to the Houston season, and what to grow in it.
- October garden checklist
The jobs to finish before the first hard freeze in Houston.
- Winter sowing guide
Winter sowing dates for Houston.
More frost dates
Other cities: New York, NY , Los Angeles, CA , Chicago, IL , Phoenix, AZ , Philadelphia, PA , Atlanta, GA , Dallas, TX , Denver, CO , Seattle, WA , Minneapolis, MN , Miami, FL .
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Houston?
On average, around February.
What planting zone is Houston, TX?
Houston is in USDA hardiness Zone 9a.
When is the first frost in Houston?
On average, around December 9. That is a 50 percent probability from the 1991-2020 NOAA normals, so half of all years see a freeze before it.
What can I plant in the fall in Houston?
radishes (sow by Nov 18), cilantro (sow by Oct 25), kale (sow by Oct 24), beets (sow by Oct 22), lettuce (sow by Oct 20), carrots (sow by Oct 14). Each date is counted back from the Houston first frost around December 9.