College Stn, TX Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Feb 27
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 30
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
276 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 31 Feb 27 Mar 18
First fall frost Dec 26 Nov 30 Nov 10
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 7 · first Dec 18

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the COLLEGE STN 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 College Stn

Computed from College Stn's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 2 – Jan 16 Mar 6 – Mar 13
🫑 Peppers Dec 19 – Jan 2 Mar 13 – Mar 20
🥬 Lettuce Jan 16 – Jan 30 Jan 30 – Feb 13 Jan 30 – Feb 27
🫛 Peas Jan 16 – Jan 30
🥕 Carrots Feb 6 – Feb 27
🥦 Broccoli Jan 9 – Jan 23 Feb 6 – Feb 20
🥬 Kale Jan 16 – Jan 30 Jan 30 – Feb 13 Jan 30 – Feb 13
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 30 – Feb 6 Mar 6 – Mar 13 Mar 6 – Mar 13
🥒 Zucchini Jan 30 – Feb 6 Mar 6 – Mar 13 Mar 6 – Mar 13
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 6 – Mar 13
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 6 – Mar 13
🌿 Basil Jan 16 – Jan 30 Mar 6 – Mar 13 Mar 13 – Mar 20
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 19 – Nov 16

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 College Stn's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in College Stn

With roughly 276 frost-free days, College Stn 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 30 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in College Stn, TX?

The average last spring frost in College Stn is around Feb 27, 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 College Stn, TX?

The average first fall frost in College Stn arrives around Nov 30. 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 College Stn?

About 276 frost-free days on average, from Feb 27 to Nov 30. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is College Stn in?

USDA zone 9a 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.