Chisos Basin, TX Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Chisos Basin garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 10
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 19
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
254 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 12 Mar 10 Apr 6
First fall frost Dec 9 Nov 19 Oct 29
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 21 · first Dec 2

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CHISOS BASIN station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Chisos Basin

Computed from Chisos Basin's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 13 – Jan 27 Mar 17 – Mar 24
🫑 Peppers Dec 30 – Jan 13 Mar 24 – Mar 31
🥬 Lettuce Jan 27 – Feb 10 Feb 10 – Feb 24 Feb 10 – Mar 10
🫛 Peas Jan 27 – Feb 10
🥕 Carrots Feb 17 – Mar 10
🥦 Broccoli Jan 20 – Feb 3 Feb 17 – Mar 3
🥬 Kale Jan 27 – Feb 10 Feb 10 – Feb 24 Feb 10 – Feb 24
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 10 – Feb 17 Mar 17 – Mar 24 Mar 17 – Mar 24
🥒 Zucchini Feb 10 – Feb 17 Mar 17 – Mar 24 Mar 17 – Mar 24
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 17 – Mar 24
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 17 – Mar 24
🌿 Basil Jan 27 – Feb 10 Mar 17 – Mar 24 Mar 24 – Mar 31
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 8 – Nov 5

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Chisos Basin's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Chisos Basin

With roughly 254 frost-free days, Chisos Basin gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 19 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Chisos Basin, TX?

The average last spring frost in Chisos Basin is around Mar 10, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Chisos Basin, TX?

The average first fall frost in Chisos Basin arrives around Nov 19. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Chisos Basin?

About 254 frost-free days on average, from Mar 10 to Nov 19. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Chisos Basin in?

USDA zone 8b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.