Refugio 3 SW, TX Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Refugio 3 SW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 15
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 5
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
293 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 12 Feb 15 Mar 12
First fall frost Jan 3 Dec 5 Nov 13
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 26 · first Dec 21

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the REFUGIO 3 SW 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 Refugio 3 SW

Computed from Refugio 3 SW'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 21 – Jan 4 Feb 22 – Mar 1
🫑 Peppers Dec 7 – Dec 21 Mar 1 – Mar 8
🥬 Lettuce Jan 4 – Jan 18 Jan 18 – Feb 1 Jan 18 – Feb 15
🫛 Peas Jan 4 – Jan 18
🥕 Carrots Jan 25 – Feb 15
🥦 Broccoli Dec 28 – Jan 11 Jan 25 – Feb 8
🥬 Kale Jan 4 – Jan 18 Jan 18 – Feb 1 Jan 18 – Feb 1
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 18 – Jan 25 Feb 22 – Mar 1 Feb 22 – Mar 1
🥒 Zucchini Jan 18 – Jan 25 Feb 22 – Mar 1 Feb 22 – Mar 1
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 22 – Mar 1
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 22 – Mar 1
🌿 Basil Jan 4 – Jan 18 Feb 22 – Mar 1 Mar 1 – Mar 8
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 24 – Nov 21

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 Refugio 3 SW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Refugio 3 SW

With roughly 293 frost-free days, Refugio 3 SW 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 5 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Refugio 3 SW, TX?

The average last spring frost in Refugio 3 SW is around Feb 15, 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 Refugio 3 SW, TX?

The average first fall frost in Refugio 3 SW arrives around Dec 5. 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 Refugio 3 SW?

About 293 frost-free days on average, from Feb 15 to Dec 5. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Refugio 3 SW 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.