Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Tyler, TX
Plan your garden around Tyler, TX's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
March 7
Safe Mar 27
Typical Mar 7
Risky Feb 17
First Fall Frost
November 21
Safe Nov 4
Typical Nov 21
Risky Dec 9
Growing Season
257 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 8b
Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.
Data: NOAA station TYLER, TX US, 5 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 | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | 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 27 – Jan 10 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | 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 27 – Jan 10 | — | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | 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 | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | 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 | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — | 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 | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — | 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 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Sep 26 – Oct 10 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | — | Sep 26 – Oct 10 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Sep 12 – Sep 26 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Oct 10 – Oct 17 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Sep 19 – Sep 26 | 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 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Sep 12 – Sep 19 | 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 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | 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 | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Aug 29 – Sep 12 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Sep 12 – Sep 26 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Oct 10 – Oct 24 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Sep 12 – Sep 26 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | 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 | — | — | — | Oct 24 – Nov 7 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | — | 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 21 – Apr 4 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | 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 24 – Jan 31 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | 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 | — | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Sep 26 – Oct 10 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | — | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | — | 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 | — | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | 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 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | 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 24 – Feb 7 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | 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 Tyler, TX?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the TYLER, TX US station, the last spring frost in Tyler typically falls around March 7. A cautious gardener might wait until March 27 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while February 17 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Tyler, TX in fall?
The first fall frost in Tyler typically arrives around November 21. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as November 4; in milder years it can hold off until December 9.
How long is the growing season in Tyler, TX?
Tyler's average frost-free growing season is about 257 days, running from the typical last spring frost (March 7) to the typical first fall frost (November 21).
What USDA hardiness zone is Tyler, TX in?
Tyler, TX is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.