Murphy, TX planting zone & frost dates

Murphy is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 10 and the first fall frost around November 19, for a growing season of about 254 days.

USDA hardiness zone8bavg. extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F

Average last spring frostMarch 1090% chance of no frost after March 31

Average first fall frostNovember 1910% chance of frost by November 1

Growing season254 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Murphy

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 24 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 19).

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 5	Nov 19	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 26.

Nearby cities

Sachse zone 8b, last frost Mar 10
Wylie zone 8b, last frost Mar 10
Plano zone 8b, last frost Mar 7
Allen zone 8b, last frost Mar 18
Garland zone 8b, last frost Mar 7
Rowlett zone 8b, last frost Mar 10
Richardson zone 8b, last frost Mar 7
Fairview zone 8b, last frost Mar 18

All cities in Texas → · Other zone 8b cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Murphy, TX?

Murphy 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 Murphy?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Murphy is March 10. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 31.

When can I plant tomatoes in Murphy?

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 Lavon Dam, TX (USC00415094), 12.0 km (7.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 155 m, based on 21 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.