Rusk, TX Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Mar 7
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 25
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
263 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 15 Mar 7 Mar 29
First fall frost Dec 14 Nov 25 Nov 5
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 23 · first Dec 7

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the RUSK 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 Rusk

Computed from Rusk'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 10 – Jan 24 Mar 14 – Mar 21
🫑 Peppers Dec 27 – Jan 10 Mar 21 – Mar 28
🥬 Lettuce Jan 24 – Feb 7 Feb 7 – Feb 21 Feb 7 – Mar 7
🫛 Peas Jan 24 – Feb 7
🥕 Carrots Feb 14 – Mar 7
🥦 Broccoli Jan 17 – Jan 31 Feb 14 – Feb 28
🥬 Kale Jan 24 – Feb 7 Feb 7 – Feb 21 Feb 7 – Feb 21
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 7 – Feb 14 Mar 14 – Mar 21 Mar 14 – Mar 21
🥒 Zucchini Feb 7 – Feb 14 Mar 14 – Mar 21 Mar 14 – Mar 21
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 14 – Mar 21
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 14 – Mar 21
🌿 Basil Jan 24 – Feb 7 Mar 14 – Mar 21 Mar 21 – Mar 28
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 14 – Nov 11

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 Rusk's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Rusk

With roughly 263 frost-free days, Rusk 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 25 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Rusk, TX?

The average last spring frost in Rusk is around Mar 7, 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 Rusk, TX?

The average first fall frost in Rusk arrives around Nov 25. 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 Rusk?

About 263 frost-free days on average, from Mar 7 to Nov 25. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Rusk 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.