Frost dates for ZIP 78343 (Bishop, 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, Bishop, TX (4 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)305 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
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 76°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Measured at USDA NRCS SCAN station Kingsville, 9 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 85°, Fri 80°.
4-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 76°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Measured at USDA NRCS SCAN station Kingsville, 9 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 85°, Fri 81°.
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 78343 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 76°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 24 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
- Lettuce: fall sowing Sep 28–Oct 26
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 12–Nov 2
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 12–Nov 2
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 12–Nov 9
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 28–Oct 26
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 7: 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 4 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 13 |
| 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 17 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 7 |
| 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) | Feb 28 | Nov 25 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 13 | Dec 7 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 26 | Dec 29 |
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 78343
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 13) and first fall frost (Dec 7). 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 10–Sep 7 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 5–19 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 7 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 5–19 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 7 (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 12–Nov 2 (transplant) Sep 28–Oct 26 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–Nov 2 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–Oct 12 (transplant) Aug 31–Sep 28 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 16–Feb 13 (transplant) Jan 16–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–Oct 12 (transplant) Aug 31–Sep 28 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 5–19 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 28 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 5–19 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 28 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 5–19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 28 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 7 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 16–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 16–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 2–16 | Jan 30–Feb 20 (transplant) Jan 30–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 16–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 9–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 16–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 23–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 19–Jan 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Jan 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 26–Nov 23 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 2–16 (transplant) | Oct 26–Nov 23 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Aug 17–31 (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 14–28 (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 14–28 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 16–23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (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 12–26 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 5–19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (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 28–Oct 26 (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: Bishop, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00410805), elevation 67 ft, 3.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsville, TX | 8 mi | Jan 25 | Dec 20 |
| Kingsville Naas, TX | 9 mi | Feb 3 | Dec 14 |
| Robstown, TX | 13 mi | Jan 26 | Dec 24 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 19 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78343
When is the last frost in 78343?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78343 is February 13. 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 78343?
The average first fall freeze is December 7. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 17.
What hardiness zone is 78343?
ZIP 78343 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 78343 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
78351 Driscoll 78380 Robstown 78339 Banquete 78330 Agua Dulce 78363 Kingsville 78415 Corpus Christi 78347 78410 Corpus Christi
Other ZIP codes in Nueces County
78330 78339 78347 78351 78373 78380 78401 78402 78404 78405 78406 78407 78408 78409 78410 78411 78412 78413 78414 78415 78416 78417 78419 All Nueces County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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