Odessa, TX planting zone & frost dates
Odessa is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 15 and the first fall frost around November 16, for a growing season of about 243 days.
Planting calendar for Odessa
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 15) 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 18 – Feb 1 Transplant outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 Transplant outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 Transplant outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 Transplant outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 21 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 16).
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 25 | Mar 15 | Apr 9 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 1 | Nov 16 | Nov 1 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 9, 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 March 3.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Odessa
- 79760 zone 8b
- 79761 zone 8b
- 79762 zone 8b
- 79763 zone 8b
- 79764 zone 8b
- 79765 zone 8a
- 79766 zone 8b
- 79768 zone 8b
- 79769 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- West Odessa zone 8b, last frost Mar 19
- Midland zone 8a, last frost Mar 26
- Andrews zone 8a, last frost Mar 18
- Big Spring zone 8a, last frost Mar 20
- Snyder zone 8a, last frost Mar 27
- Levelland zone 7b, last frost Apr 9
- Lubbock zone 7b, last frost Mar 24
- San Angelo zone 8a, last frost Mar 20
Questions
What growing zone is Odessa, TX?
Odessa is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 8a.
When is the last frost in Odessa?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Odessa is March 15. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 9.
When can I plant tomatoes in Odessa?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 22 – Mar 29. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Odessa, TX (USC00416502), 3.9 km (2.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 887 m, based on 13 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.