Frost dates for ZIP 77469 (Richmond, TX)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Thompsons 3 WSW, TX (4 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 1550% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)297 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
72°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 71°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Prairie View #1 (45 mi), Wied Ranch (45 mi), Wegenhoft (59 mi).
4-inch depth
73°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Prairie View #1 (45 mi), Wied Ranch (45 mi), Wegenhoft (59 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 77469 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 73°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Gulf Coast and peninsular Florida. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- St. Augustinegrass (warm-season): Spring: About 2–3 weeks after full green-up (May in the Carolinas; earlier in Florida and south Texas) (about Mar 26 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Light feedings June–August where local rules allow; Last: No later than about mid-September in the Carolinas, about 6–8 weeks before first frost elsewhere. Avoid: Feeding before green-up or late in fall (feeds weeds and favors large patch and cold injury).
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall sowing Sep 27–Oct 25
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 11–Nov 1
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 11–Nov 1
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 11–Nov 8
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 27–Oct 25
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 6: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Jan 13 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 15 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 15 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Nov 13 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 6 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 5 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 6 | Nov 22 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 15 | Dec 6 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 26 | Dec 29 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 77469
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 15) and first fall frost (Dec 6). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 7–21 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 7–21 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Jan 25–Feb 15 (transplant) Jan 18–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–Nov 1 (transplant) Sep 27–Oct 25 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 4–25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Jan 18–Feb 1 (transplant) Jan 18–Feb 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (transplant) Aug 30–Sep 27 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Jan 18–Feb 15 (transplant) Jan 18–Feb 15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (transplant) Aug 30–Sep 27 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 7–21 | Jan 18–Feb 1 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 7–21 | Jan 18–Feb 1 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 7–21 | Feb 1–15 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 23–Dec 7 | Jan 18–Feb 1 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Jan 18–Feb 1 (transplant) Jan 18–Feb 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 18–Feb 1 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 18–Feb 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 18–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 4–18 | Feb 1–22 (transplant) Feb 1–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 18–Feb 15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 25–Feb 22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 11–Feb 22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 18–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 25–Feb 15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 21–Jan 18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 23–Dec 7 | Jan 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 4–Feb 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 23–Dec 7 | Jan 18–Feb 1 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 25–Nov 22 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 4–18 (transplant) | Oct 25–Nov 22 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 18–Feb 1 (transplant) | Aug 16–30 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 18–25 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 18–25 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 18–25 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 18–25 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 18–25 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 4–18 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 23–Dec 7 | Feb 22–Mar 1 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 4–18 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 1–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 7–21 | Feb 1–15 (transplant) Jan 25–Feb 15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 15–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 15–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 18–Feb 1 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 18–Feb 1 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 18–Feb 1 (transplant) | Sep 27–Oct 25 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Texas A&M AgriLife trials name plants that handle Texas conditions: the Texas Superstar® list and the low-care roses from AgriLife trials. Plant frost-tender annuals after February 15 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Thompsons 3 WSW, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00418996), elevation 70 ft, 4.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Land, TX | 9 mi | Feb 9 | Dec 13 |
| Houston Sugarland Mem, TX | 9 mi | Feb 2 | Dec 11 |
| Houston Hobby AP, TX | 27 mi | Jan 30 | Dec 28 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 16 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 77469
When is the last frost in 77469?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 77469 is February 15. For a more cautious planting date, use March 15, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 77469?
The average first fall freeze is December 6. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 13.
What hardiness zone is 77469?
ZIP 77469 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 77469 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
77479 Sugar Land 77481 Thompsons 77461 Needville 77478 Sugar Land 77471 Rosenberg 77459 Missouri City 77498 Sugar Land 77406 Pecan Grove
Other ZIP codes in Fort Bend County
77053 77406 77407 77417 77441 77444 77451 77459 77461 77464 77471 77476 77477 77478 77479 77481 77489 77494 77498 77545 All Fort Bend County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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