When is the last frost in Houston, TX?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Houston is February 13, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until March 12.

When is the first frost in Houston?

The average first fall frost in Houston is December 9, with a growing season of about 300 days.

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Houston, Texas frost dates

Average last spring frost: February 13. Average first fall frost: December 9. That gives a growing season of about 300 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is March 12, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Feb 13

1-in-10 risk after Mar 12

First frost (50%)

Dec 9

1-in-10 risk before Nov 17

Growing season

300 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Jan 27

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	January 12	January 11
70%	January 31	December 23
50%	February 13	December 9
30%	February 28	December 1
10%	March 12	November 17

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after March 12. These are NOAA probabilities for the Houston Intercont Airport weather station (USW00012960, elevation 29 m), 1991–2020.

Houston vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (February 13). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (Mar 12) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Jan 23	Feb 20 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Dec 5	Jan 16
Brussels sprouts	Dec 5	Jan 16
Cabbage	Nov 28	Jan 9
Cauliflower	Dec 19	Jan 30
Sweet corn	Jan 16	Feb 13 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Jan 30	Feb 20
Kale	Nov 28	Jan 9
Leeks	Oct 31	Jan 9
Lettuce	Dec 26	Jan 30
Melons	Feb 6	Feb 27
Onions	Oct 24	Jan 2 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Dec 19	Jan 16 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Jan 2	Feb 27
Squash	Feb 6	Feb 27
Tomatoes	Dec 19	Feb 13

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around December 9. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before November 17. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around January 2.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Austin, TX	Mar 12	Nov 16	~224 km
San Antonio, TX	Feb 26	Nov 28	~304 km
Shreveport, LA	Mar 9	Nov 18	~311 km
Dallas, TX	Mar 8	Nov 24	~361 km
Baton Rouge, LA	Feb 25	Nov 26	~410 km
New Orleans, LA	Jan 30	Dec 31	~491 km

More: all Texas frost dates