Frost dates for ZIP 78597 (South Padre Island, 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 Cameron AP, TX (9 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 35% 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 850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostJan 4 (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 zone10b35 to 40°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
70°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 Russell Farms (22 mi), Texas AgriScience (39 mi), Weslaco (43 mi).
4-inch depth
72°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Russell Farms (22 mi), Texas AgriScience (39 mi), Weslaco (43 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 78597 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
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 16 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 28–Oct 26
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 12–Nov 9
- Collards: fall sowing Sep 28–Oct 26
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 12–Nov 9
- Broccoli: fall transplant Sep 28–Oct 26
- Cabbage: fall transplant Sep 28–Oct 26
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Sep 28–Oct 26
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 16–30
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 16–30
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 16–30
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 16–30
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 23
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Parsley: start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
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 16 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 8 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 7 |
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 10 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Jan 4 (next year) |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 4 (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 22 | Dec 29 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 8 | Jan 4 (next year) |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | n/a | n/a |
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 78597
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 8) and first fall frost (Jan 4). 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 13–27 | Jan 15–29 (transplant) | Sep 7–Oct 5 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Jan 22–Feb 5 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 5 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Jan 22–Feb 5 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 5 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 13–27 | Jan 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 13–27 | Dec 18–Jan 8 (transplant) Dec 11–Jan 22 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–30 (transplant) Oct 26–Nov 23 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Nov 27–Dec 18 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–30 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 13–27 | Dec 11–25 (transplant) Dec 11–25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–Nov 9 (transplant) Sep 28–Oct 26 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 13–27 | Dec 11–Jan 8 (transplant) Dec 11–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–Nov 9 (transplant) Sep 28–Oct 26 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Dec 11–25 (transplant) | Sep 28–Oct 26 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Dec 11–25 (transplant) | Sep 28–Oct 26 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Sep 28–Oct 26 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 16–30 | Dec 11–25 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 5 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 13–27 | Dec 11–25 (transplant) Dec 11–25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 11–25 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–23 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 11–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–Dec 7 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 11–Jan 1 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–23 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Dec 25–Jan 15 (transplant) Dec 25–Jan 22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 11–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 18–Jan 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 4–Jan 15 (sow outdoors) | Nov 23–Dec 7 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 11–Jan 1 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 18–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 13–Dec 11 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 16–30 | Nov 27–Dec 11 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Nov 27–Dec 25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 16–30 | Dec 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 23–Dec 21 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Nov 27–Dec 11 (transplant) | Nov 23–Dec 21 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 11–25 (transplant) | Sep 14–28 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 15–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 22–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jan 29–Feb 19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 11–18 | Jan 15–29 (transplant) Jan 15–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 11–18 | Jan 15–29 (transplant) Jan 15–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 11–18 | Jan 15–29 (transplant) Jan 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 11–18 | Jan 22–Feb 5 (transplant) Jan 22–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 11–18 | Jan 22–Feb 5 (transplant) Jan 22–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Jan 22–Feb 5 (transplant) Jan 22–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 16–30 | Jan 15–22 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Jan 15–29 (transplant) Jan 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 25–Jan 22 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–23 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) Dec 18–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–23 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 11–25 (transplant) | Oct 26–Nov 23 (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 8 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Port Isabel Cameron AP, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00012957), elevation 19 ft, 8.6 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, TX | 13 mi | Jan 3 | Jan 1 (next year) |
| Port Mansfield, TX | 22 mi | Jan 12 | Jan 1 (next year) |
| Harlingen Rio Grande AP, TX | 24 mi | Jan 8 | Dec 29 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 9 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78597
When is the last frost in 78597?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78597 is January 8. For a more cautious planting date, use February 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78597?
The average first fall freeze is January 4 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 10.
What hardiness zone is 78597?
ZIP 78597 is in USDA zone 10b (35 to 40°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 78597 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
78566 Brownsville 78583 La Tina Ranch 78578 Brownsville 78598 Port Mansfield 78526 Brownsville 78521 Brownsville 78575 Brownsville 78550 Harlingen
Other ZIP codes in Cameron County
78520 78521 78526 78535 78550 78552 78559 78566 78567 78575 78578 78583 78586 78592 78593 All Cameron County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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