Bay City, TX planting zone & frost dates
Bay City is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around February 20 and the first fall frost around December 3, for a growing season of about 290 days.
Planting calendar for Bay City
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 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: Dec 26 – Jan 9 Transplant outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 12 – Dec 26 Transplant outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 12 – Dec 26 Transplant outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 12 – Dec 26 Transplant outdoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 12 – Dec 26 Transplant outdoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 9 – Jan 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 9 – Jan 23 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 6 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 6 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 9 – Jan 23 Transplant outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 6 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 8 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 3).
Useful for zone 9b 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 | Jan 19 | Feb 20 | Mar 15 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 1 | Dec 3 | Nov 10 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 15, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 10. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 31.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Bay City
- 77404 zone 9b
- 77414 zone 9b
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is Bay City, TX?
Bay City is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Bay City?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Bay City is February 20. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 15.
When can I plant tomatoes in Bay City?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 27 – Mar 6. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Bay City Wtr Wks, TX (USC00410569), 0.6 km (0.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 16 m, based on 19 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.