Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Fresno, TX
Plan your garden around Fresno, TX's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
February 15
Safe Mar 15
Typical Feb 15
Risky Jan 13
First Fall Frost
December 6
Safe Nov 13
Typical Dec 6
Risky Jan 5
Growing Season
297 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b
Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.
Data: NOAA station THOMPSONS 3 WSW, TX US, 18.9 km away.
—
days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | — | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | — | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | — | Oct 11 – Oct 25 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | — | Oct 11 – Oct 25 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | — | Sep 27 – Oct 11 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | — | Oct 25 – Nov 1 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | — | Jan 25 – Feb 1 | Oct 4 – Oct 11 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | — | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | Sep 27 – Oct 4 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | — | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | — | Sep 13 – Sep 27 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | — | Sep 27 – Oct 11 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | — | Oct 25 – Nov 8 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | — | Sep 27 – Oct 11 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 8 – Nov 22 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Jan 4 – Jan 11 | — | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | — | Oct 11 – Oct 25 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | Feb 15 – Feb 22 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | Feb 15 – Feb 22 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | — | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Jan 18 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Fresno, TX?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the THOMPSONS 3 WSW, TX US station, the last spring frost in Fresno typically falls around February 15. A cautious gardener might wait until March 15 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while January 13 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Fresno, TX in fall?
The first fall frost in Fresno typically arrives around December 6. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as November 13; in milder years it can hold off until January 5.
How long is the growing season in Fresno, TX?
Fresno's average frost-free growing season is about 297 days, running from the typical last spring frost (February 15) to the typical first fall frost (December 6).
What USDA hardiness zone is Fresno, TX in?
Fresno, TX is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.