Frost dates for ZIP 78072 (Tilden, 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, Tilden 4 SSE, TX (7 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 1350% 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)299 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
73°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 Y Bar Ranch West (20 mi), Great Horizon Ranch (25 mi), Gilbert N Saenz (30 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 (20 mi), Great Horizon Ranch (25 mi), Chaparral WMA (50 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 78072 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 Mar 31 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 8 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 13 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 11 |
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 3 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 6 (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 22 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 13 | Dec 3 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 21 | Dec 17 |
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 78072
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 13) 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 19–Jan 2 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 5–19 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 5–19 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 23–Feb 13 (transplant) Jan 16–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–29 (transplant) Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–29 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 16–Feb 13 (transplant) Jan 16–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 5–19 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 5–19 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 5–19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 16–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 16–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 2–16 | Jan 30–Feb 20 (transplant) Jan 30–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 16–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 9–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 16–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 23–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 19–Jan 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Jan 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 22–Nov 19 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 2–16 (transplant) | Oct 22–Nov 19 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Aug 13–27 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 6–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 16–23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 16–23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 16–23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 16–23 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 16–23 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 2–16 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Feb 20–27 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 2–16 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 30–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 5–19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 16–30 (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 13 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Tilden 4 SSE, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00419031), elevation 345 ft, 6.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calliham, TX | 17 mi | Feb 9 | Dec 8 |
| Cross, TX | 19 mi | Mar 8 | Nov 17 |
| Fowlerton, TX | 20 mi | Mar 3 | Nov 25 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 30 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78072
When is the last frost in 78072?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78072 is February 13. For a more cautious planting date, use March 11, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78072?
The average first fall freeze is December 3. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 13.
What hardiness zone is 78072?
ZIP 78072 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 78072 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
78007 78021 Fowlerton 78071 Three Rivers 78022 George West 78075 78357 Freer 78026 Jourdanton 78012 Christine
Other ZIP codes in McMullen County
78007 All McMullen County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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