Frost dates for ZIP 78017 (Dilley, 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, Dilley, TX (4 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 1650% 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)296 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
74°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 Y Bar Ranch West (28 mi), Chaparral WMA (32 mi), Crystal City Weather Station (40 mi).
4-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 76°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Y Bar Ranch West (28 mi), Chaparral WMA (32 mi), Crystal City Weather Station (40 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 78017 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 76°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 Apr 3 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 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 14 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 16 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 12 |
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 6 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 3 (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 2 | Nov 23 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 16 | Dec 6 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 26 | Dec 23 |
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 78017
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 16) 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 22–Jan 5 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 8–22 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 8–22 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Jan 26–Feb 16 (transplant) Jan 19–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–Nov 1 (transplant) Sep 27–Oct 25 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 5–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (transplant) Aug 30–Sep 27 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Jan 19–Feb 16 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (transplant) Aug 30–Sep 27 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 8–22 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 8–22 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 8–22 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 19–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 5–19 | Feb 2–23 (transplant) Feb 2–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 26–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 12–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 19–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 26–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 22–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 5–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 25–Nov 22 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 5–19 (transplant) | Oct 25–Nov 22 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Aug 16–30 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 19–26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 19–26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 19–26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 19–26 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 19–26 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 5–19 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Feb 23–Mar 2 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 5–19 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 2–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 8–22 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) Jan 26–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (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 16 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Dilley, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00412458), elevation 550 ft, 4.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotulla La Salle Co AP, TX | 20 mi | Feb 11 | Dec 3 |
| Fowlerton, TX | 28 mi | Mar 3 | Nov 25 |
| Charlotte 5 NNW, TX | 31 mi | Feb 26 | Nov 28 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 23 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78017
When is the last frost in 78017?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78017 is February 16. For a more cautious planting date, use March 12, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78017?
The average first fall freeze is December 6. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 16.
What hardiness zone is 78017?
ZIP 78017 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 78017 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
78061 Pearsall 78830 Big Wells 78057 Moore 78014 Cotulla 78829 Batesville 78005 Bigfoot 78886 Yancey 78011 Charlotte
Other ZIP codes in Frio County
78005 78057 78061 All Frio County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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