Lancaster, TX planting zone & frost dates
Lancaster is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 12 and the first fall frost around November 19, for a growing season of about 253 days.
Planting calendar for Lancaster
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 12) 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 15 – Jan 29 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 Transplant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 Transplant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 Transplant outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 Transplant outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 24 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 19).
Useful for zone 8b 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 21 | Mar 12 | Mar 31 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 6 | Nov 19 | Nov 2 |
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 2. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 1.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Lancaster
- 75134 zone 8b
- 75146 zone 8b
Nearby cities
- Red Oak zone 8b, last frost Mar 16
- DeSoto zone 8b, last frost Mar 6
- Glenn Heights zone 8b, last frost Mar 16
- Duncanville zone 8b, last frost Mar 6
- Balch Springs zone 8b, last frost Mar 12
- Dallas zone 8b, last frost Mar 2
- Cedar Hill zone 8b, last frost Mar 20
- Seagoville zone 8b, last frost Mar 12
Questions
What growing zone is Lancaster, TX?
Lancaster is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Lancaster?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Lancaster is March 12. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 31.
When can I plant tomatoes in Lancaster?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 19 – Mar 26. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Ferris, TX (USC00413133), 11.0 km (6.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 143 m, based on 20 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.