Smithville, TX Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Mar 12
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 19
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
252 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 18 Mar 12 Apr 11
First fall frost Dec 11 Nov 19 Nov 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 26 · first Dec 3

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the SMITHVILLE 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 Smithville

Computed from Smithville'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 15 – Jan 29 Mar 19 – Mar 26
🫑 Peppers Jan 1 – Jan 15 Mar 26 – Apr 2
🥬 Lettuce Jan 29 – Feb 12 Feb 12 – Feb 26 Feb 12 – Mar 12
🫛 Peas Jan 29 – Feb 12
🥕 Carrots Feb 19 – Mar 12
🥦 Broccoli Jan 22 – Feb 5 Feb 19 – Mar 5
🥬 Kale Jan 29 – Feb 12 Feb 12 – Feb 26 Feb 12 – Feb 26
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 12 – Feb 19 Mar 19 – Mar 26 Mar 19 – Mar 26
🥒 Zucchini Feb 12 – Feb 19 Mar 19 – Mar 26 Mar 19 – Mar 26
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 19 – Mar 26
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 19 – Mar 26
🌿 Basil Jan 29 – Feb 12 Mar 19 – Mar 26 Mar 26 – Apr 2
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 8 – Nov 5

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 Smithville's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Smithville

With roughly 252 frost-free days, Smithville 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 19 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Smithville, TX?

The average last spring frost in Smithville is around Mar 12, 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 Smithville, TX?

The average first fall frost in Smithville arrives around Nov 19. 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 Smithville?

About 252 frost-free days on average, from Mar 12 to Nov 19. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Smithville 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.