Frost dates for ZIP 78843 (Laughlin AFB, 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, Del Rio Intl AP, TX (9 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 1650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)293 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°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
Pre-emergent
Soil is 67°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). 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 Apr 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
- Lettuce: fall sowing Sep 24–Oct 22
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 8–29
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 8–29
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 8–Nov 5
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 24–Oct 22
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 3: 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 19 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 16 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 10 |
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 14 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 3 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 26 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 3 | Nov 20 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 16 | Dec 3 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 24 | Dec 18 |
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 78843
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 16) and first fall frost (Dec 3). 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 22–Jan 5 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 8–22 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 8–22 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Jan 26–Feb 16 (transplant) Jan 19–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–29 (transplant) Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 5–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–29 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Jan 19–Feb 16 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 8–22 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 8–22 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 8–22 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 19–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 5–19 | Feb 2–23 (transplant) Feb 2–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 26–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 12–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 19–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 26–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 22–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 5–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 22–Nov 19 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 5–19 (transplant) | Oct 22–Nov 19 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Aug 13–27 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 19–26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 19–26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 19–26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 19–26 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 19–26 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 5–19 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Feb 23–Mar 2 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 5–19 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 2–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 8–22 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) Jan 26–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (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 16 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
This week in Laughlin AFB
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
65°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 67°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Devils River DAH (24 mi), Kickapoo Ranch (37 mi), Devils River Del Norte (42 mi).
4-inch depth
67°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 70°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Devils River DAH (24 mi), Kickapoo Ranch (37 mi), Devils River Del Norte (42 mi).
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 78843 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Del Rio Intl AP, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00022010), elevation 999 ft, 8.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Del Rio 4NW, TX | 9 mi | Feb 19 | Dec 4 |
| Amistad Dam, TX | 17 mi | Feb 14 | Dec 6 |
| Brackettville, TX | 23 mi | Mar 5 | Nov 24 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 22 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78843
When is the last frost in 78843?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78843 is February 16. For a more cautious planting date, use March 10, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78843?
The average first fall freeze is December 3. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 14.
What hardiness zone is 78843?
ZIP 78843 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 78843 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
78842 78832 Brackettville 78840 Del Rio 78877 Normandy 78852 Eagle Pass 78837 78880 Rocksprings 78801 Uvalde
Other ZIP codes in Val Verde County
78837 78840 78841 78842 78871 All Val Verde County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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