Austin, TX planting zone & frost dates
Austin is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 10 and the first fall frost around November 17, for a growing season of about 252 days.
Planting calendar for Austin
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 10) 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 13 – Jan 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 30 – Jan 13 Transplant outdoors: Mar 24 – Mar 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 30 – Jan 13 Transplant outdoors: Mar 24 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 30 – Jan 13 Transplant outdoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 30 – Jan 13 Transplant outdoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 24 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 24 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 27 – Feb 10 Transplant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 24 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 22 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 17).
Useful for zone 9a 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
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Feb 20 | Mar 10 | Mar 31 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 6 | Nov 17 | Nov 1 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 31, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 1. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 28.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Austin
- 73301 zone 9a
- 73344 zone 9a
- 78701 zone 9a
- 78702 zone 9a
- 78703 zone 9a
- 78704 zone 9a
- 78705 zone 9a
- 78708 zone 9a
- 78709 zone 9a
- 78710 zone 9a
- 78711 zone 9a
- 78712 zone 9a
- 78713 zone 9a
- 78714 zone 9a
- 78715 zone 9a
- 78716 zone 9a
- 78717 zone 9a
- 78718 zone 9a
- 78719 zone 9a
- 78720 zone 9a
- 78721 zone 9a
- 78722 zone 9a
- 78723 zone 9a
- 78724 zone 9a
- 78725 zone 8b
- 78726 zone 9a
- 78727 zone 9a
- 78728 zone 9a
- 78729 zone 9a
- 78730 zone 9a
- 78731 zone 9a
- 78732 zone 9a
- 78733 zone 9a
- 78734 zone 9a
- 78735 zone 9a
- 78736 zone 9a
- 78737 zone 8b
- 78738 zone 9a
- 78739 zone 9a
- 78741 zone 9a
- 78742 zone 9a
- 78744 zone 9a
- 78745 zone 9a
- 78746 zone 9a
- 78747 zone 9a
- 78748 zone 9a
- 78749 zone 9a
- 78750 zone 9a
- 78751 zone 9a
- 78752 zone 9a
- 78753 zone 9a
- 78754 zone 9a
- 78755 zone 9a
- 78756 zone 9a
- 78757 zone 9a
- 78758 zone 9a
- 78759 zone 9a
- 78760 zone 9a
- 78761 zone 9a
- 78762 zone 9a
- 78763 zone 9a
- 78764 zone 9a
- 78765 zone 9a
- 78766 zone 9a
- 78767 zone 9a
- 78768 zone 9a
- 78772 zone 9a
- 78773 zone 9a
- 78774 zone 9a
- 78778 zone 9a
- 78779 zone 9a
- 78783 zone 9a
- 78799 zone 9a
Nearby cities
- Wells Branch zone 9a, last frost Mar 11
- Buda zone 9a, last frost Mar 10
- Pflugerville zone 9a, last frost Mar 11
- Brushy Creek zone 9a, last frost Mar 11
- Round Rock zone 9a, last frost Mar 11
- Cedar Park zone 9a, last frost Mar 11
- Lakeway zone 9a, last frost Mar 17
- Kyle zone 9a, last frost Feb 28
Questions
What growing zone is Austin, TX?
Austin is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a (average extreme winter low 20°F to 25°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 8b.
When is the last frost in Austin?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Austin is March 10. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 31.
When can I plant tomatoes in Austin?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 17 – Mar 24. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Austin 6S, TX (USC00410431), 4.8 km (3.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 174 m, based on 14 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.