Waco Dam, TX Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Mar 9
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 20
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
256 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 17 Mar 9 Apr 4
First fall frost Dec 9 Nov 20 Nov 2
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 25 · first Dec 3

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the WACO DAM 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 Waco Dam

Computed from Waco Dam's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 12 – Jan 26 Mar 16 – Mar 23
🫑 Peppers Dec 29 – Jan 12 Mar 23 – Mar 30
🥬 Lettuce Jan 26 – Feb 9 Feb 9 – Feb 23 Feb 9 – Mar 9
🫛 Peas Jan 26 – Feb 9
🥕 Carrots Feb 16 – Mar 9
🥦 Broccoli Jan 19 – Feb 2 Feb 16 – Mar 2
🥬 Kale Jan 26 – Feb 9 Feb 9 – Feb 23 Feb 9 – Feb 23
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 9 – Feb 16 Mar 16 – Mar 23 Mar 16 – Mar 23
🥒 Zucchini Feb 9 – Feb 16 Mar 16 – Mar 23 Mar 16 – Mar 23
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 16 – Mar 23
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 16 – Mar 23
🌿 Basil Jan 26 – Feb 9 Mar 16 – Mar 23 Mar 23 – Mar 30
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 9 – Nov 6

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 Waco Dam's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Waco Dam

With roughly 256 frost-free days, Waco Dam 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 20 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Waco Dam, TX?

The average last spring frost in Waco Dam is around Mar 9, 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 Waco Dam, TX?

The average first fall frost in Waco Dam arrives around Nov 20. 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 Waco Dam?

About 256 frost-free days on average, from Mar 9 to Nov 20. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Waco Dam in?

USDA zone 8b 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.