Frost dates for ZIP 78578 (Brownsville, 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, Port Isabel, TX (3 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 34% of years (about 1 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 350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostJan 1 (next year)50% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)year-round in a typical yearmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone10a30 to 35°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.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 72°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
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 Feb 11 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 25–Oct 23
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 9–Nov 6
- Collards: fall sowing Sep 25–Oct 23
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 9–Nov 6
- Broccoli: fall transplant Sep 25–Oct 23
- Cabbage: fall transplant Sep 25–Oct 23
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Sep 25–Oct 23
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 11–25
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 11–25
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 11–25
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 11–25
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Oct 25–Nov 8
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Oct 25–Nov 8
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 23–Nov 20
- Lettuce: fall transplant Nov 6–27
- Spinach: fall sowing Nov 6–27
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Oct 25–Nov 8
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Oct 25–Nov 8
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Oct 25–Nov 8
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 23–Nov 6
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Nov 6–20
- Arugula: fall sowing Nov 6–Dec 4
- Mustard greens: fall sowing 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 11 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 3 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 2 |
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) | Dec 7 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Jan 1 (next year) |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 1 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jan 17 | Dec 25 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 3 | Jan 1 (next year) |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 2 | Jan 1 (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 78578
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 3) and first fall frost (Jan 1). 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 | Nov 8–22 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 8–22 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 8–22 | Dec 13–Jan 3 (transplant) Dec 6–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–27 (transplant) Oct 23–Nov 20 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Nov 22–Dec 13 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–27 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 8–22 | Dec 6–20 (transplant) Dec 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–Nov 6 (transplant) Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 8–22 | Dec 6–Jan 3 (transplant) Dec 6–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–Nov 6 (transplant) Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 25–Oct 23 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 25–Oct 23 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | Sep 25–Oct 23 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 11–25 | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 8–22 | Dec 6–20 (transplant) Dec 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–20 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 6–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–Dec 4 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–20 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Dec 20–Jan 10 (transplant) Dec 20–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 6–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 13–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Nov 29–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Nov 20–Dec 4 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 13–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 8–Dec 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 11–25 | Nov 22–Dec 6 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Nov 22–Dec 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 11–25 | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 20–Dec 18 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Nov 22–Dec 6 (transplant) | Nov 20–Dec 18 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 11–25 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jan 24–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 6–13 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 6–13 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 6–13 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 6–13 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 6–13 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 11–25 | Jan 10–17 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 20–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–20 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) Dec 13–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–20 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | Oct 23–Nov 20 (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 3 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
This week in Brownsville
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
70°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Russell Farms (17 mi), Weslaco (41 mi), Texas AgriScience (42 mi).
4-inch depth
72°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Russell Farms (17 mi), Weslaco (41 mi), Texas AgriScience (42 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 78578 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Port Isabel, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00417179), elevation 17 ft, 3.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Isabel Cameron AP, TX | 9 mi | Jan 8 | Jan 4 (next year) |
| Brownsville, TX | 11 mi | Jan 6 | Jan 2 (next year) |
| WFO Brownsville, TX | 11 mi | Jan 9 | Jan 4 (next year) |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 6 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78578
When is the last frost in 78578?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78578 is January 3. For a more cautious planting date, use February 2, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78578?
The average first fall freeze is January 1 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 7.
What hardiness zone is 78578?
ZIP 78578 is in USDA zone 10a (30 to 35°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 78578 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
78521 Brownsville 78566 Brownsville 78526 Brownsville 78575 Brownsville 78597 South Padre Island 78520 Brownsville 78583 La Tina Ranch 78586 San Benito
Other ZIP codes in Cameron County
78520 78521 78526 78535 78550 78552 78559 78566 78567 78575 78583 78586 78592 78593 78597 All Cameron County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.