Frost dates for ZIP 77986 (Lavaca County, 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, Hallettsville 2 N, TX (9 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 1750% 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)297 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°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
78°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 77°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Bobadoo Ranch, 8 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 85°, Fri 82°.
4-inch depth
79°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 79°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Bobadoo Ranch, 8 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 85°, Fri 83°.
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 77986 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 79°F at 4 inches. Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): not yet. Apply as soil cools toward 70°F (typically September to early October).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: South Central plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Apr 4 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
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 17 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 13 |
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 14 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 4 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 8 (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 5 | Nov 23 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 17 | Dec 4 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 30 | Dec 27 |
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 77986
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 17) 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 23–Jan 6 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) | Aug 7–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 9–23 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 9–23 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Jan 27–Feb 17 (transplant) Jan 20–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–30 (transplant) Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–30 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–Oct 9 (transplant) Aug 28–Sep 25 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Jan 20–Feb 17 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–Oct 9 (transplant) Aug 28–Sep 25 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 9–23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 9–23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 9–23 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 20–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 20–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 6–20 | Feb 3–24 (transplant) Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 20–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 27–Feb 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 13–Feb 24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 20–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 27–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 23–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 6–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 23–Nov 20 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 6–20 (transplant) | Oct 23–Nov 20 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Aug 14–28 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 20–27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 20–27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 20–27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 20–27 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 20–27 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 6–20 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Feb 24–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 6–20 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 9–23 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (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 17 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Hallettsville 2 N, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00413873), elevation 275 ft, 8.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flatonia 4SE, TX | 19 mi | Mar 2 | Nov 27 |
| Columbus, TX | 20 mi | Mar 9 | Nov 20 |
| Yoakum, TX | 26 mi | Mar 2 | Nov 30 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 23 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 77986
When is the last frost in 77986?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 77986 is February 17. For a more cautious planting date, use March 13, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 77986?
The average first fall freeze is December 4. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 14.
What hardiness zone is 77986?
ZIP 77986 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 77986 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
77964 Hallettsville 77475 Sheridan 78951 78962 Weimar 77470 Rock Island 78956 Schulenburg 77442 Nada 77975 Moulton
Other ZIP codes in Lavaca County
77964 77975 77984 77987 All Lavaca County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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