Corpus Christi NAS, TX Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Jan 14
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Jan 8
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
359 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 23 Jan 14 Feb 20
First fall frost Feb 9 Jan 8 Dec 18

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CORPUS CHRISTI NAS 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 Corpus Christi NAS

Computed from Corpus Christi NAS'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 19 – Dec 3 Jan 21 – Jan 28
🫑 Peppers Nov 5 – Nov 19 Jan 28 – Feb 4
🥬 Lettuce Dec 3 – Dec 17 Dec 17 – Dec 31 Dec 17 – Jan 14
🫛 Peas Dec 3 – Dec 17
🥕 Carrots Dec 24 – Jan 14
🥦 Broccoli Nov 26 – Dec 10 Dec 24 – Jan 7
🥬 Kale Dec 3 – Dec 17 Dec 17 – Dec 31 Dec 17 – Dec 31
🥒 Cucumbers Dec 17 – Dec 24 Jan 21 – Jan 28 Jan 21 – Jan 28
🥒 Zucchini Dec 17 – Dec 24 Jan 21 – Jan 28 Jan 21 – Jan 28
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jan 21 – Jan 28
🌽 Sweet Corn Jan 21 – Jan 28
🌿 Basil Dec 3 – Dec 17 Jan 21 – Jan 28 Jan 28 – Feb 4
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 27 – Dec 25

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 Corpus Christi NAS's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Corpus Christi NAS

With roughly 359 frost-free days, Corpus Christi NAS 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 Jan 8 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Corpus Christi NAS, TX?

The average last spring frost in Corpus Christi NAS is around Jan 14, 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 Corpus Christi NAS, TX?

The average first fall frost in Corpus Christi NAS arrives around Jan 8. 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 Corpus Christi NAS?

About 359 frost-free days on average, from Jan 14 to Jan 8. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Corpus Christi NAS 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.