Del Rio 4NW, TX Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Del Rio 4NW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 19
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 4
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
288 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 24 Feb 19 Mar 11
First fall frost Dec 20 Dec 4 Nov 16
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 31 · first Dec 19

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the DEL RIO 4NW 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 Del Rio 4NW

Computed from Del Rio 4NW'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 25 – Jan 8 Feb 26 – Mar 5
🫑 Peppers Dec 11 – Dec 25 Mar 5 – Mar 12
🥬 Lettuce Jan 8 – Jan 22 Jan 22 – Feb 5 Jan 22 – Feb 19
🫛 Peas Jan 8 – Jan 22
🥕 Carrots Jan 29 – Feb 19
🥦 Broccoli Jan 1 – Jan 15 Jan 29 – Feb 12
🥬 Kale Jan 8 – Jan 22 Jan 22 – Feb 5 Jan 22 – Feb 5
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 22 – Jan 29 Feb 26 – Mar 5 Feb 26 – Mar 5
🥒 Zucchini Jan 22 – Jan 29 Feb 26 – Mar 5 Feb 26 – Mar 5
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 26 – Mar 5
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 26 – Mar 5
🌿 Basil Jan 8 – Jan 22 Feb 26 – Mar 5 Mar 5 – Mar 12
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 23 – Nov 20

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 Del Rio 4NW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Del Rio 4NW

With roughly 288 frost-free days, Del Rio 4NW 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 4 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Del Rio 4NW, TX?

The average last spring frost in Del Rio 4NW is around Feb 19, 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 Del Rio 4NW, TX?

The average first fall frost in Del Rio 4NW arrives around Dec 4. 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 Del Rio 4NW?

About 288 frost-free days on average, from Feb 19 to Dec 4. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Del Rio 4NW 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.