Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Santa Fe, TX
Plan your garden around Santa Fe, TX's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
January 31
Safe Mar 5
Typical Jan 31
Risky Dec 25
First Fall Frost
December 14
Safe Nov 19
Typical Dec 14
Risky Jan 19
Growing Season
317 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 HOUSTON NWSO, TX US, 10.6 km away.
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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 6 – Dec 20 | — | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Nov 22 – Dec 6 | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | 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 | Nov 22 – Dec 6 | — | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | 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 10 – Jan 17 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | 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 3 – Jan 10 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | 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 7 – Feb 21 | — | — | 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 3 – Jan 10 | — | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | — | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | — | 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 | — | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | — | Oct 19 – Nov 2 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | — | Oct 19 – Nov 2 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | — | Oct 5 – Oct 19 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | — | Nov 2 – Nov 9 | 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 10 – Jan 24 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Dec 13 – Dec 27 | — | Jan 10 – Jan 17 | Oct 12 – Oct 19 | 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 13 – Dec 27 | — | Jan 17 – Jan 24 | Oct 5 – Oct 12 | 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 13 – Dec 27 | — | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Oct 5 – Oct 19 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Dec 13 – Dec 27 | — | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | — | 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 3 – Jan 17 | — | Sep 21 – Oct 5 | 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 3 – Jan 17 | — | Oct 5 – Oct 19 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | — | Nov 2 – Nov 16 | 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 3 – Jan 17 | — | Oct 5 – Oct 19 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Nov 22 – Dec 6 | — | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | — | 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 16 – Nov 30 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | — | — | 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 | — | — | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | — | 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 | Dec 20 – Dec 27 | — | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | 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 10 – Jan 24 | — | Oct 19 – Nov 2 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | — | Jan 17 – Jan 24 | — | 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 10 – Jan 24 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | — | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | — | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | — | 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 7 – Feb 21 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | — | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | 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 Santa Fe, TX?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the HOUSTON NWSO, TX US station, the last spring frost in Santa Fe typically falls around January 31. A cautious gardener might wait until March 5 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while December 25 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Santa Fe, TX in fall?
The first fall frost in Santa Fe typically arrives around December 14. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as November 19; in milder years it can hold off until January 19.
How long is the growing season in Santa Fe, TX?
Santa Fe's average frost-free growing season is about 317 days, running from the typical last spring frost (January 31) to the typical first fall frost (December 14).
What USDA hardiness zone is Santa Fe, TX in?
Santa Fe, 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.