Frost dates for ZIP 78559 (La Feria, 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, Santa Rosa 3 WNW, TX (9 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 63% of years (about 2 freezing night(s) a year on average). The dates below describe freeze timing for the station's record; in many years there may be no 32°F freeze at all.
- Average last spring frostJan 1050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 2750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)355 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone10a30 to 35°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
Freezes are uncommon here, so frost-based timing is rough. Local extension calendars for frost-free areas use months.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 79°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 Feb 18 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
- Kale: fall sowing Sep 20–Oct 18
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 4–Nov 1
- Collards: fall sowing Sep 20–Oct 18
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 4–Nov 1
- Broccoli: fall transplant Sep 20–Oct 18
- Cabbage: fall transplant Sep 20–Oct 18
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Sep 20–Oct 18
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 4–18
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Nov 1–15
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Nov 1–15
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 15
- Lettuce: fall transplant Nov 1–22
- Spinach: fall sowing Nov 1–22
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Nov 1–15
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Nov 1–15
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Nov 1–15
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 18–Nov 1
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 1
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Nov 1–15
- Arugula: fall sowing Nov 1–29
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
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) | Dec 13 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 10 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 24 |
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) | Dec 3 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 27 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 1 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Feb 3 | Dec 12 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 10 | Dec 27 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 1 | Dec 29 |
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 78559
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 10) and first fall frost (Dec 27). 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 | Nov 15–29 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 1–15 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Sep 6–27 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 1–15 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Sep 6–27 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 15–29 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 15–29 | Dec 20–Jan 10 (transplant) Dec 13–Jan 24 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–22 (transplant) Oct 18–Nov 15 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Nov 29–Dec 20 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–22 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 15–29 | Dec 13–27 (transplant) Dec 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–Nov 1 (transplant) Sep 20–Oct 18 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 15–29 | Dec 13–Jan 10 (transplant) Dec 13–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–Nov 1 (transplant) Sep 20–Oct 18 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 1–15 | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 1–15 | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 1–15 | Dec 27–Jan 10 (transplant) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 18–Nov 1 | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | Sep 6–27 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 15–29 | Dec 13–27 (transplant) Dec 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–15 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 13–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–29 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 13–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–15 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Dec 27–Jan 17 (transplant) Dec 27–Jan 24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 13–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 20–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 6–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Nov 15–29 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 13–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 20–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 15–Dec 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 18–Nov 1 | Nov 29–Dec 13 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Nov 29–Dec 27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 18–Nov 1 | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 15–Dec 13 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Nov 29–Dec 13 (transplant) | Nov 15–Dec 13 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | Sep 6–20 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jan 31–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 13–20 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 13–20 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 13–20 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 13–20 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 13–20 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 18–Nov 1 | Jan 17–24 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 27–Jan 24 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 1–15 | Dec 27–Jan 10 (transplant) Dec 20–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–15 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | Oct 18–Nov 15 (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 January 10 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
This week in La Feria
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
77°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 76°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Measured at USDA NRCS SCAN station Weslaco, 8 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 85°, Fri 81°.
4-inch depth
79°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 78°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Measured at USDA NRCS SCAN station Weslaco, 8 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 85°, Fri 83°.
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 78559 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Santa Rosa 3 WNW, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00418059), elevation 50 ft, 8.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weslaco, TX | 9 mi | Jan 8 | Dec 31 |
| Harlingen, TX | 10 mi | Jan 9 | Jan 3 (next year) |
| Harlingen Rio Grande AP, TX | 12 mi | Jan 8 | Dec 29 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 2 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78559
When is the last frost in 78559?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78559 is January 10. For a more cautious planting date, use February 24, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78559?
The average first fall freeze is December 27. In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 3.
What hardiness zone is 78559?
ZIP 78559 is in USDA zone 10a (30 to 35°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 78559 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
78570 Mercedes 78552 Harlingen 78592 Iglesia Antigua 78579 Progreso 78567 Los Indios 78593 Yznaga 78535 Combes 78562 La Villa
Other ZIP codes in Cameron County
78520 78521 78526 78535 78550 78552 78566 78567 78575 78578 78583 78586 78592 78593 78597 All Cameron County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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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.