Abilene, TX planting zone & frost dates
Abilene is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 20 and the first fall frost around November 10, for a growing season of about 236 days.
Planting calendar for Abilene
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 20) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 9 – Jan 23 Transplant outdoors: Apr 3 – Apr 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 9 – Jan 23 Transplant outdoors: Apr 3 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 9 – Jan 23 Transplant outdoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 9 – Jan 23 Transplant outdoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 3 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 3 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 6 – Feb 20 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 3 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 15 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 10).
Useful for zone 8a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 1 | Mar 20 | Apr 10 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 28 | Nov 10 | Oct 28 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 10, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 28. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 6.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Abilene
- 79601 zone 8a
- 79602 zone 8a
- 79603 zone 8a
- 79604 zone 8a
- 79605 zone 8a
- 79606 zone 8a
- 79608 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Sweetwater zone 8a, last frost Mar 30
- Brownwood zone 8a, last frost Mar 22
- San Angelo zone 8a, last frost Mar 20
- Snyder zone 8a, last frost Mar 27
- Stephenville zone 8b, last frost Mar 29
- Mineral Wells zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
- Big Spring zone 8a, last frost Mar 20
- Vernon zone 8a, last frost Mar 27
Questions
What growing zone is Abilene, TX?
Abilene is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Abilene?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Abilene is March 20. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in Abilene?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 27 – Apr 3. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Abilene Rgnl Ap, TX (USW00013962), 6.4 km (4.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 546 m, based on 28 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.