Gainesville, TX planting zone & frost dates
Gainesville is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 19 and the first fall frost around November 14, for a growing season of about 242 days.
Planting calendar for Gainesville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 19) 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 22 – Feb 5 Transplant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 8 – Jan 22 Transplant outdoors: Apr 2 – Apr 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 8 – Jan 22 Transplant outdoors: Apr 2 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 8 – Jan 22 Transplant outdoors: Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 8 – Jan 22 Transplant outdoors: Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 2 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 2 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 2 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 19 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 14).
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 | Feb 28 | Mar 19 | Apr 6 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 2 | Nov 14 | Oct 31 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 6, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 31. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 5.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Gainesville
- 76240 zone 8a
- 76241 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Denton zone 8a, last frost Mar 13
- Celina zone 8b, last frost Mar 24
- Corinth zone 8b, last frost Mar 13
- Little Elm zone 8b, last frost Mar 13
- Prosper zone 8b, last frost Mar 17
- Sherman zone 8a, last frost Mar 14
- The Trails of Frisco zone 8b, last frost Mar 7
- Highland Village zone 8b, last frost Mar 13
Questions
What growing zone is Gainesville, TX?
Gainesville 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 Gainesville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Gainesville is March 19. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 6.
When can I plant tomatoes in Gainesville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 26 – Apr 2. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Gainesville 5 Ene, TX (USC00413420), 7.2 km (4.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 265 m, based on 30 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.