Corpus Christi, TX Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Jan 28
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 21
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
327 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Dec 16 Jan 28 Feb 28
First fall frost Jan 26 Dec 21 Nov 25
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 8 · first Dec 30

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CORPUS CHRISTI 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 Corpus Christi

Computed from Corpus Christi'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 Dec 3 – Dec 17 Feb 4 – Feb 11
🫑 Peppers Nov 19 – Dec 3 Feb 11 – Feb 18
🥬 Lettuce Dec 17 – Dec 31 Dec 31 – Jan 14 Dec 31 – Jan 28
🫛 Peas Dec 17 – Dec 31
🥕 Carrots Jan 7 – Jan 28
🥦 Broccoli Dec 10 – Dec 24 Jan 7 – Jan 21
🥬 Kale Dec 17 – Dec 31 Dec 31 – Jan 14 Dec 31 – Jan 14
🥒 Cucumbers Dec 31 – Jan 7 Feb 4 – Feb 11 Feb 4 – Feb 11
🥒 Zucchini Dec 31 – Jan 7 Feb 4 – Feb 11 Feb 4 – Feb 11
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 4 – Feb 11
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 4 – Feb 11
🌿 Basil Dec 17 – Dec 31 Feb 4 – Feb 11 Feb 11 – Feb 18
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 9 – Dec 7

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 Corpus Christi's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Corpus Christi

With roughly 327 frost-free days, Corpus Christi 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 Dec 21 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Corpus Christi, TX?

The average last spring frost in Corpus Christi is around Jan 28, 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 Corpus Christi, TX?

The average first fall frost in Corpus Christi arrives around Dec 21. 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 Corpus Christi?

About 327 frost-free days on average, from Jan 28 to Dec 21. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Corpus Christi in?

USDA zone 9b 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.