Austin-Camp Mabry, TX Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Feb 20
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 3
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
286 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 23 Feb 20 Mar 14
First fall frost Jan 1 Dec 3 Nov 15
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 1 · first Dec 27

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY 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 Austin-Camp Mabry

Computed from Austin-Camp Mabry'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 26 – Jan 9 Feb 27 – Mar 6
🫑 Peppers Dec 12 – Dec 26 Mar 6 – Mar 13
🥬 Lettuce Jan 9 – Jan 23 Jan 23 – Feb 6 Jan 23 – Feb 20
🫛 Peas Jan 9 – Jan 23
🥕 Carrots Jan 30 – Feb 20
🥦 Broccoli Jan 2 – Jan 16 Jan 30 – Feb 13
🥬 Kale Jan 9 – Jan 23 Jan 23 – Feb 6 Jan 23 – Feb 6
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 23 – Jan 30 Feb 27 – Mar 6 Feb 27 – Mar 6
🥒 Zucchini Jan 23 – Jan 30 Feb 27 – Mar 6 Feb 27 – Mar 6
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 27 – Mar 6
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 27 – Mar 6
🌿 Basil Jan 9 – Jan 23 Feb 27 – Mar 6 Mar 6 – Mar 13
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 22 – Nov 19

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 Austin-Camp Mabry's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Austin-Camp Mabry

With roughly 286 frost-free days, Austin-Camp Mabry 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 3 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Austin-Camp Mabry, TX?

The average last spring frost in Austin-Camp Mabry is around Feb 20, 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 Austin-Camp Mabry, TX?

The average first fall frost in Austin-Camp Mabry arrives around Dec 3. 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 Austin-Camp Mabry?

About 286 frost-free days on average, from Feb 20 to Dec 3. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Austin-Camp Mabry 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.