Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 78142 (Normanna, 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, Beeville 5 NE, TX (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)299 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
78°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 76°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station BQ5 Ranch, 11 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 88°, Fri 84°, Sat 78°.
4-inch depth
80°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 80°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station BQ5 Ranch, 11 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 88°, Fri 86°, Sat 80°.
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 78142 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 80°F at 4 inches. Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): not yet. Apply as soil cools toward 70°F (typically October to early November).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Gulf Coast and peninsular Florida. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- St. Augustinegrass (warm-season): Spring: About 2–3 weeks after full green-up (May in the Carolinas; earlier in Florida and south Texas) (about Mar 28 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Light feedings June–August where local rules allow; Last: No later than about mid-September in the Carolinas, about 6–8 weeks before first frost elsewhere. Avoid: Feeding before green-up or late in fall (feeds weeds and favors large patch and cold injury).
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall sowing Sep 29–Oct 27
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 13–Nov 3
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 13–Nov 3
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 13–Nov 10
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 27
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 24
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 24
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 8: 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) | Jan 14 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 17 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 12 |
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) | Nov 18 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 8 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 9 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 4 | Nov 26 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 17 | Dec 8 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 29 | Dec 27 |
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 78142
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 17) and first fall frost (Dec 8). 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 | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 9–23 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 9–23 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Jan 27–Feb 17 (transplant) Jan 20–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–Nov 3 (transplant) Sep 29–Oct 27 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–Oct 13 (transplant) Sep 1–29 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Jan 20–Feb 17 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–Oct 13 (transplant) Sep 1–29 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 9–23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Sep 1–29 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 9–23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Sep 1–29 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 9–23 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 1–29 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 20–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 20–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 6–20 | Feb 3–24 (transplant) Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 20–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 27–Feb 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 13–Feb 24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 20–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 27–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 23–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 6–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 27–Nov 24 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 6–20 (transplant) | Oct 27–Nov 24 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 20–27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 20–27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 20–27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 20–27 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 20–27 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 6–20 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Feb 24–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 6–20 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 9–23 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (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 February 17 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Beeville 5 NE, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00410639), elevation 255 ft, 8.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnes City 2N, TX | 26 mi | Feb 16 | Dec 9 |
| Choke Canyon Dam, TX | 27 mi | Feb 8 | Dec 6 |
| Goliad, TX | 27 mi | Feb 25 | Dec 1 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 17 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78142
When is the last frost in 78142?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78142 is February 17. For a more cautious planting date, use March 12, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78142?
The average first fall freeze is December 8. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 18.
What hardiness zone is 78142?
ZIP 78142 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 78142 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
78162 Tuleta 78104 Normanna 78146 Pettus 78125 78102 Beeville 78145 Pawnee 78119 Kenedy 78107
Other ZIP codes in Bee County
78102 78104 78125 78145 78146 78162 78389 78391 All Bee County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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- Weekly yard to-dos
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.