Frost dates for ZIP 76842 (Mason County, TX)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Mason, TX (14 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)241 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
59°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 57°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Mason Wildlife Management Area, 10 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 78°, Fri 64°.
4-inch depth
62°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 62°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Mason Wildlife Management Area, 10 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 78°, Fri 68°.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 76842 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 62°F at 4 inches. Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: South Central plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about May 3 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 13: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Feb 28 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 18 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 7 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 30 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 13 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 1 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 3 | Nov 4 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 18 | Nov 13 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 4 | Nov 26 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 76842
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 18) and first fall frost (Nov 13). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 21–Feb 4 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 7–21 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 7–21 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 21–Feb 4 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 21–Feb 4 | Feb 25–Mar 18 (transplant) Feb 18–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 9 (transplant) Sep 4–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 4–25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 21–Feb 4 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 18 (transplant) Aug 7–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 21–Feb 4 | Feb 18–Mar 18 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 18 (transplant) Aug 7–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 7–21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | Aug 7–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 7–21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | Aug 7–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 7–21 | Mar 4–18 (transplant) | Aug 7–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 21–Feb 4 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 18–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 16 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 18–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 4–18 | Mar 4–25 (transplant) Mar 4–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 18–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 25–Mar 25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 11–Mar 25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 18–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 25–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 21–Feb 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 4–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 2–30 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | Oct 2–30 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 18–25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 18–25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 18–25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 18–25 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 18–25 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 4–18 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Mar 25–Apr 1 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 4–18 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 4–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 7–21 | Mar 4–18 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 18–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 18–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Texas A&M AgriLife trials name plants that handle Texas conditions: the Texas Superstar® list and the low-care roses from AgriLife trials. Plant frost-tender annuals after March 18 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Mason, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00415650), elevation 1,531 ft, 14.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brady, TX | 21 mi | Mar 14 | Nov 15 |
| Llano, TX | 29 mi | Mar 20 | Nov 10 |
| San Saba 7NW, TX | 32 mi | Mar 16 | Nov 13 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 6 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 76842
When is the last frost in 76842?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 76842 is March 18. For a more cautious planting date, use April 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 76842?
The average first fall freeze is November 13. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 30.
What hardiness zone is 76842?
ZIP 76842 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 76842 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
76869 76887 76820 76831 76885 76856 Mason 76825 Brady 76832
Other ZIP codes in Mason County
76820 76856 All Mason County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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