Zapata 1 S, TX Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Zapata 1 S garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Jan 19
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 22
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
337 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 17 Jan 19 Feb 25
First fall frost Jan 27 Dec 22 Nov 28
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 5 · first Jan 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the ZAPATA 1 S 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 Zapata 1 S

Computed from Zapata 1 S'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 Nov 24 – Dec 8 Jan 26 – Feb 2
🫑 Peppers Nov 10 – Nov 24 Feb 2 – Feb 9
🥬 Lettuce Dec 8 – Dec 22 Dec 22 – Jan 5 Dec 22 – Jan 19
🫛 Peas Dec 8 – Dec 22
🥕 Carrots Dec 29 – Jan 19
🥦 Broccoli Dec 1 – Dec 15 Dec 29 – Jan 12
🥬 Kale Dec 8 – Dec 22 Dec 22 – Jan 5 Dec 22 – Jan 5
🥒 Cucumbers Dec 22 – Dec 29 Jan 26 – Feb 2 Jan 26 – Feb 2
🥒 Zucchini Dec 22 – Dec 29 Jan 26 – Feb 2 Jan 26 – Feb 2
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jan 26 – Feb 2
🌽 Sweet Corn Jan 26 – Feb 2
🌿 Basil Dec 8 – Dec 22 Jan 26 – Feb 2 Feb 2 – Feb 9
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 10 – Dec 8

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 Zapata 1 S's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Zapata 1 S

With roughly 337 frost-free days, Zapata 1 S 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 22 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Zapata 1 S, TX?

The average last spring frost in Zapata 1 S is around Jan 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 Zapata 1 S, TX?

The average first fall frost in Zapata 1 S arrives around Dec 22. 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 Zapata 1 S?

About 337 frost-free days on average, from Jan 19 to Dec 22. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Zapata 1 S 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.