Lufkin, TX planting zone & frost dates
Lufkin is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 11 and the first fall frost around November 15, for a growing season of about 247 days.
Planting calendar for Lufkin
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 11) 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 14 – Jan 28 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Mar 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 Transplant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 Transplant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 Transplant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 Transplant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 28 – Feb 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 28 – Feb 11 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Mar 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Mar 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Mar 25 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Mar 25 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 28 – Feb 11 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Mar 25 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 20 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 15).
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 17 | Mar 11 | Apr 4 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 4 | Nov 15 | Oct 30 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 4, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 30. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 25.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Lufkin
- 75901 zone 9a
- 75902 zone 9a
- 75903 zone 8b
- 75904 zone 8b
- 75915 zone 9a
Nearby cities
- Nacogdoches zone 8b, last frost Mar 13
- Henderson zone 8b, last frost Mar 15
- Jacksonville zone 8b, last frost Mar 22
- Palestine zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Huntsville zone 9a, last frost Mar 1
- Kilgore zone 8b, last frost Mar 8
- Longview zone 8b, last frost Mar 7
- Tyler zone 8b, last frost Mar 7
Questions
What growing zone is Lufkin, TX?
Lufkin 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 Lufkin?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Lufkin is March 11. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 4.
When can I plant tomatoes in Lufkin?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 18 – Mar 25. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Lufkin Angelina Co Ap, TX (USW00093987), 11.6 km (7.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 88 m, based on 27 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.