Orange 9 N, TX Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Orange 9 N garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 28
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 23
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
268 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 29 Feb 28 Mar 29
First fall frost Dec 24 Nov 23 Nov 4
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 3 · first Dec 12

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the ORANGE 9 N 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 Orange 9 N

Computed from Orange 9 N'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 3 – Jan 17 Mar 7 – Mar 14
🫑 Peppers Dec 20 – Jan 3 Mar 14 – Mar 21
🥬 Lettuce Jan 17 – Jan 31 Jan 31 – Feb 14 Jan 31 – Feb 28
🫛 Peas Jan 17 – Jan 31
🥕 Carrots Feb 7 – Feb 28
🥦 Broccoli Jan 10 – Jan 24 Feb 7 – Feb 21
🥬 Kale Jan 17 – Jan 31 Jan 31 – Feb 14 Jan 31 – Feb 14
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 31 – Feb 7 Mar 7 – Mar 14 Mar 7 – Mar 14
🥒 Zucchini Jan 31 – Feb 7 Mar 7 – Mar 14 Mar 7 – Mar 14
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 7 – Mar 14
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 7 – Mar 14
🌿 Basil Jan 17 – Jan 31 Mar 7 – Mar 14 Mar 14 – Mar 21
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 12 – Nov 9

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 Orange 9 N's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Orange 9 N

With roughly 268 frost-free days, Orange 9 N 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 23 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Orange 9 N, TX?

The average last spring frost in Orange 9 N is around Feb 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 Orange 9 N, TX?

The average first fall frost in Orange 9 N arrives around Nov 23. 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 Orange 9 N?

About 268 frost-free days on average, from Feb 28 to Nov 23. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Orange 9 N 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.