Frost dates for ZIP 78598 (Port Mansfield, 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 Mansfield, TX (1 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 56% of years (about 2 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 1250% 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)362 daysmedian, 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.
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
71°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 Russell Farms (32 mi), Texas AgriScience (32 mi), Edinburg 17 NNE (40 mi).
4-inch depth
73°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 (32 mi), Texas AgriScience (32 mi), Edinburg 17 NNE (40 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 78598 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 73°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 20 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
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 9–23
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Nov 3–17
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Nov 3–17
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 23–Nov 20
- Lettuce: fall transplant Nov 6–27
- Spinach: fall sowing Nov 6–27
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Nov 3–17
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Nov 3–17
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Nov 3–17
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 20–Nov 3
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 23–Nov 6
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Nov 6–20
- Arugula: fall sowing Nov 6–Dec 4
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 15 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 12 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 19 |
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 5 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Jan 1 (next year) |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 5 (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 30 | Dec 19 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 12 | Jan 1 (next year) |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 7 | Jan 5 (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 78598
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 12) 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 17–Dec 1 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 3–17 | Jan 26–Feb 9 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 3–17 | Jan 26–Feb 9 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Dec 22–Jan 12 (transplant) Dec 15–Jan 26 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–27 (transplant) Oct 23–Nov 20 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–27 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Dec 15–29 (transplant) Dec 15–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–Nov 6 (transplant) Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Dec 15–Jan 12 (transplant) Dec 15–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–Nov 6 (transplant) Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 3–17 | Dec 15–29 (transplant) | Sep 25–Oct 23 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 3–17 | Dec 15–29 (transplant) | Sep 25–Oct 23 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 3–17 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | Sep 25–Oct 23 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 20–Nov 3 | Dec 15–29 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Dec 15–29 (transplant) Dec 15–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 15–29 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–20 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 15–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–Dec 4 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 15–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–20 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 1–15 | Dec 29–Jan 19 (transplant) Dec 29–Jan 26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 15–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 22–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 8–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Nov 20–Dec 4 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 15–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 22–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 17–Dec 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 20–Nov 3 | Dec 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 20–Nov 3 | Dec 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 20–Dec 18 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 1–15 (transplant) | Nov 20–Dec 18 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 15–29 (transplant) | Sep 11–25 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 26–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 15–22 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 15–22 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 15–22 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 15–22 | Jan 26–Feb 9 (transplant) Jan 26–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 15–22 | Jan 26–Feb 9 (transplant) Jan 26–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 1–15 | Jan 26–Feb 9 (transplant) Jan 26–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 20–Nov 3 | Jan 19–26 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 1–15 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 29–Jan 26 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–20 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 3–17 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) Dec 22–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–20 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 15–29 (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 12 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Port Mansfield, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00417184), elevation 9 ft, 1.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raymondville, TX | 23 mi | Jan 21 | Dec 26 |
| Harlingen Rio Grande AP, TX | 26 mi | Jan 8 | Dec 29 |
| Port Isabel Cameron AP, TX | 26 mi | Jan 8 | Jan 4 (next year) |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 13 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78598
When is the last frost in 78598?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78598 is January 12. For a more cautious planting date, use February 19, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78598?
The average first fall freeze is January 1 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 5.
What hardiness zone is 78598?
ZIP 78598 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 78598 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
78590 San Perlita 78583 La Tina Ranch 78580 Raymondville 78597 South Padre Island 78569 Lyford 78550 Harlingen 78594 Sebastian 78535 Combes
Other ZIP codes in Willacy County
78561 78569 78580 78590 78594 All Willacy County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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