Frost dates for ZIP 78342 (Ben Bolt, 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, Alice, TX (5 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 76% of years (about 4 freezing night(s) a year on average). The dates below describe freeze timing for the station's record; in many years there may be no 32°F freeze at all.
- Average last spring frostJan 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)337 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
Freezes are uncommon here, so frost-based timing is rough. Local extension calendars for frost-free areas use months.
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
78°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 78°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Los Machos Farm, 14 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 84°, 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 Los Machos Farm, 14 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 84°, Fri 82°.
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 78342 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 October to early November).
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 9 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
- Kale: fall sowing Sep 22–Oct 20
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 6–Nov 3
- Collards: fall sowing Sep 22–Oct 20
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 6–Nov 3
- Broccoli: fall transplant Sep 22–Oct 20
- Cabbage: fall transplant Sep 22–Oct 20
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Sep 22–Oct 20
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 6–20
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 20–Nov 17
- Lettuce: fall transplant Nov 3–24
- Spinach: fall sowing Nov 3–24
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Nov 6–20
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 20–Nov 3
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Nov 3–17
- Arugula: fall sowing Nov 3–Dec 1
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Nov 3–17
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 20–Nov 3
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 20–Nov 3
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 20–Nov 3
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Nov 6–20
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
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) | Dec 17 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 29 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 5 |
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 25 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 29 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 9 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Feb 13 | Dec 9 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 29 | Dec 29 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 15 | Jan 6 (next year) |
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 78342
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 29) and first fall frost (Dec 29). 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 4–18 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) | Sep 1–29 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 20–Dec 4 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 8–29 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 20–Dec 4 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 8–29 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 4–18 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 4–18 | Jan 8–29 (transplant) Jan 1–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Nov 3–24 (transplant) Oct 20–Nov 17 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 18–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Nov 3–24 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 4–18 | Jan 1–15 (transplant) Jan 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–Nov 3 (transplant) Sep 22–Oct 20 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 4–18 | Jan 1–29 (transplant) Jan 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–Nov 3 (transplant) Sep 22–Oct 20 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 20–Dec 4 | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | Sep 22–Oct 20 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 20–Dec 4 | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | Sep 22–Oct 20 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 20–Dec 4 | Jan 15–29 (transplant) | Sep 22–Oct 20 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 6–20 | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | Sep 8–29 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 4–18 | Jan 1–15 (transplant) Jan 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 20–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Nov 3–17 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Nov 3–Dec 1 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Nov 3–17 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Jan 15–Feb 5 (transplant) Jan 15–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 20–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 20–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 8–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 25–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Nov 17–Dec 1 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 20–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 4–Jan 1 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 6–20 | Dec 18–Jan 1 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 18–Jan 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 20–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 6–20 | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 17–Dec 15 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 18–Jan 1 (transplant) | Nov 17–Dec 15 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | Sep 8–22 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 19–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 1–8 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 1–8 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 1–8 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 1–8 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 1–8 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 6–20 | Feb 5–12 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 15–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Nov 3–17 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 20–Dec 4 | Jan 15–29 (transplant) Jan 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Nov 3–17 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | Oct 20–Nov 17 (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 January 29 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Alice, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00410144), elevation 201 ft, 4.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Intl AP, TX | 6 mi | Feb 5 | Dec 10 |
| Kingsville, TX | 16 mi | Jan 25 | Dec 20 |
| Bishop, TX | 18 mi | Feb 13 | Dec 7 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 19 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78342
When is the last frost in 78342?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78342 is January 29. For a more cautious planting date, use March 5, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78342?
The average first fall freeze is December 29. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 25.
What hardiness zone is 78342?
ZIP 78342 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 78342 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
78332 Alice 78330 Agua Dulce 78343 Bishop 78375 Premont 78339 Banquete 78351 Driscoll 78363 Kingsville 78380 Robstown
Other ZIP codes in Jim Wells County
78332 78372 78375 All Jim Wells County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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