Houston Sugarland Mem, TX Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Feb 2
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 11
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
312 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 28 Feb 2 Mar 7
First fall frost Jan 16 Dec 11 Nov 20
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 18 · first Jan 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the HOUSTON SUGARLAND MEM 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 Houston Sugarland Mem

Computed from Houston Sugarland Mem'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 8 – Dec 22 Feb 9 – Feb 16
🫑 Peppers Nov 24 – Dec 8 Feb 16 – Feb 23
🥬 Lettuce Dec 22 – Jan 5 Jan 5 – Jan 19 Jan 5 – Feb 2
🫛 Peas Dec 22 – Jan 5
🥕 Carrots Jan 12 – Feb 2
🥦 Broccoli Dec 15 – Dec 29 Jan 12 – Jan 26
🥬 Kale Dec 22 – Jan 5 Jan 5 – Jan 19 Jan 5 – Jan 19
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 5 – Jan 12 Feb 9 – Feb 16 Feb 9 – Feb 16
🥒 Zucchini Jan 5 – Jan 12 Feb 9 – Feb 16 Feb 9 – Feb 16
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 9 – Feb 16
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 9 – Feb 16
🌿 Basil Dec 22 – Jan 5 Feb 9 – Feb 16 Feb 16 – Feb 23
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 30 – Nov 27

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 Houston Sugarland Mem's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Houston Sugarland Mem

With roughly 312 frost-free days, Houston Sugarland Mem 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 11 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Houston Sugarland Mem, TX?

The average last spring frost in Houston Sugarland Mem is around Feb 2, 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 Houston Sugarland Mem, TX?

The average first fall frost in Houston Sugarland Mem arrives around Dec 11. 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 Houston Sugarland Mem?

About 312 frost-free days on average, from Feb 2 to Dec 11. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Houston Sugarland Mem 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.