Frost dates for ZIP 77968 (Inez, 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, Victoria Rgnl AP, TX (6 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)291 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
73°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 72°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of STXRR Camp Williams (22 mi), Dentler (23 mi), Parks Ranch Goliad (30 mi).
4-inch depth
75°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 74°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of STXRR Camp Williams (22 mi), Dentler (23 mi), Parks Ranch Goliad (30 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 77968 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 75°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 29 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 25–Oct 23
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 9–30
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 9–30
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 9–Nov 6
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 25–Oct 23
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 4: 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 19 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 18 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 14 |
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 16 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 4 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 4 (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 21 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 18 | Dec 4 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 25 | Dec 21 |
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 77968
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 18) and first fall frost (Dec 4). 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 24–Jan 7 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | Aug 7–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 10–24 | Mar 4–18 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 10–24 | Mar 4–18 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Jan 28–Feb 18 (transplant) Jan 21–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–30 (transplant) Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 7–28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–30 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–Oct 9 (transplant) Aug 28–Sep 25 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Jan 21–Feb 18 (transplant) Jan 21–Feb 18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–Oct 9 (transplant) Aug 28–Sep 25 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 10–24 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 10–24 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 10–24 | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 26–Dec 10 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 21–Feb 18 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 21–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 7–21 | Feb 4–25 (transplant) Feb 4–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 21–Feb 18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 28–Feb 25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 14–Feb 25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 21–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 28–Feb 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 24–Jan 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 26–Dec 10 | Jan 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 7–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 26–Dec 10 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 23–Nov 20 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 7–21 (transplant) | Oct 23–Nov 20 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) | Aug 14–28 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 11–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 21–28 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 21–28 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 21–28 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 21–28 | Mar 4–18 (transplant) Mar 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 21–28 | Mar 4–18 (transplant) Mar 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 7–21 | Mar 4–18 (transplant) Mar 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 26–Dec 10 | Feb 25–Mar 4 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 7–21 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 4–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 10–24 | Feb 4–18 (transplant) Jan 28–Feb 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) | Sep 25–Oct 23 (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 18 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Victoria Rgnl AP, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00012912), elevation 115 ft, 6.0 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Rgnl AP, TX | 6 mi | Feb 4 | Dec 9 |
| Victoria Fire Dept #5, TX | 11 mi | Feb 14 | Dec 9 |
| Coleto Creek Rsvr, TX | 24 mi | Feb 17 | Dec 8 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 14 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 77968
When is the last frost in 77968?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 77968 is February 18. For a more cautious planting date, use March 14, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 77968?
The average first fall freeze is December 4. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 16.
What hardiness zone is 77968?
ZIP 77968 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 77968 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
77988 77904 Victoria 77901 Victoria 77957 Edna 77969 77977 Placedo 77976 77905 Quail Creek
Other ZIP codes in Victoria County
77901 77904 77905 77951 77973 77976 77977 77988 All Victoria County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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