Frost dates for ZIP 78014 (Cotulla, 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, Cotulla La Salle Co AP, TX (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 1150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)300 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
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 Chaparral WMA (19 mi), Great Horizon Ranch (21 mi), Y Bar Ranch West (21 mi).
4-inch depth
78°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 78°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Chaparral WMA (19 mi), Great Horizon Ranch (21 mi), Y Bar Ranch West (21 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 78014 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 78°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). 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 Mar 29 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 24–Oct 22
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 8–29
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 8–29
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 8–Nov 5
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 24–Oct 22
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 3: 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 5 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 11 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 9 |
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 15 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 3 |
| 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 1 | Nov 23 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 11 | Dec 3 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 20 | Dec 19 |
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 78014
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 11) and first fall frost (Dec 3). 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 17–31 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 3–17 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 3–17 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 17–31 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 17–31 | Jan 21–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 14–Feb 25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–29 (transplant) Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 31–Jan 21 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–29 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 17–31 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 17–31 | Jan 14–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 14–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 3–17 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 3–17 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 3–17 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 17–31 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 14–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 14–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 31–Jan 14 | Jan 28–Feb 18 (transplant) Jan 28–Feb 25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 14–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 21–Feb 18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 7–Feb 18 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 14–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 21–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 17–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Dec 31–Jan 14 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 31–Jan 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 22–Nov 19 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 31–Jan 14 (transplant) | Oct 22–Nov 19 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 13–27 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 4–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 14–21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 14–21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 14–21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 14–21 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 14–21 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 31–Jan 14 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Feb 18–25 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 31–Jan 14 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 28–Feb 25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 3–17 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 21–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 11–25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (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 11 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Cotulla La Salle Co AP, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00012947), elevation 476 ft, 7.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fowlerton, TX | 18 mi | Mar 3 | Nov 25 |
| Dilley, TX | 20 mi | Feb 16 | Dec 6 |
| Encinal, TX | 33 mi | Feb 21 | Dec 9 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 23 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78014
When is the last frost in 78014?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78014 is February 11. For a more cautious planting date, use March 9, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78014?
The average first fall freeze is December 3. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 15.
What hardiness zone is 78014?
ZIP 78014 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 78014 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
78001 78021 Fowlerton 78830 Big Wells 78017 Dilley 78019 Encinal 78836 Catarina 78072 Tilden 78061 Pearsall
Other ZIP codes in La Salle County
78001 78021 All La Salle County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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