Frost dates for ZIP 78881 (Sabinal, 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, Hondo Muni AP, TX (19 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)263 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 73°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 21 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
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 25–Oct 23
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 9–Nov 6
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 9–Nov 6
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 20: 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 9 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 6 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 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) | Nov 3 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 20 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 8 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 19 | Nov 11 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 6 | Nov 20 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 21 | Dec 3 |
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 78881
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 6) and first fall frost (Nov 20). 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 9–23 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 21 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 21 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 21 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 9–23 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 9–23 | Feb 13–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 6–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 16 (transplant) Sep 11–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 23–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 16 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 9–23 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (transplant) Aug 14–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 9–23 | Feb 6–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (transplant) Aug 14–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 12–26 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 21 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 9–23 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Feb 20–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 13–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 30–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 13–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 9–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 12–26 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 12–26 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 9–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Oct 9–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 27–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 6–13 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 6–13 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 6–13 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 6–13 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 6–13 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 12–26 | Mar 13–20 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 13–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 9 (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 6 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
This week in Sabinal
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
71°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 72°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Uvalde (19 mi), Garner State Park (21 mi), Phyllis Thomas Bandera (22 mi).
4-inch depth
73°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 74°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Uvalde (19 mi), Garner State Park (21 mi), Phyllis Thomas Bandera (22 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 78881 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Hondo Muni AP, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00012962), elevation 920 ft, 19.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hondo, TX | 22 mi | Feb 28 | Nov 27 |
| Medina 1NE, TX | 33 mi | Mar 16 | Nov 15 |
| Camp Wood, TX | 37 mi | Mar 12 | Nov 14 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 19 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78881
When is the last frost in 78881?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78881 is March 6. For a more cautious planting date, use March 24, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78881?
The average first fall freeze is November 20. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 3.
What hardiness zone is 78881?
ZIP 78881 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 78881 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
78870 Knippa 78850 D'Hanis 78838 78884 Utopia 78861 Hondo 78879 78883 78801 Uvalde
Other ZIP codes in Uvalde County
78801 78802 78838 78870 All Uvalde County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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