Frost dates for ZIP 78620 (Dripping Springs, 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, Dripping Springs 6 E, TX (9 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)242 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°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
81°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 80°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Arnosky Farms, 13 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 90°, Fri 86°.
4-inch depth
74°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 74°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Arnosky Farms, 13 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 81°, Fri 78°.
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 78620 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 74°F at 4 inches. Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: South Central plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about May 2 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 13: 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) | Feb 26 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 17 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 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) | Oct 29 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 13 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 4 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 31 | Nov 4 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 17 | Nov 13 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 4 | Nov 26 |
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 78620
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 17) and first fall frost (Nov 13). 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 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 6–20 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 6–20 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 24–Mar 17 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 9 (transplant) Sep 4–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 18 (transplant) Aug 7–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 17–Mar 17 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 18 (transplant) Aug 7–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 6–20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Aug 7–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 6–20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Aug 7–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 6–20 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 7–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 16 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 17–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 3–17 | Mar 3–24 (transplant) Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 24–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 10–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 17–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 24–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 20–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 2–30 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Oct 2–30 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 17–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 17–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 17–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 17–24 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 17–24 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Mar 24–31 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 3–17 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 6–20 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (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 March 17 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Dripping Springs 6 E, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00412585), elevation 1,084 ft, 8.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson City 2N, TX | 17 mi | Mar 22 | Nov 9 |
| Blanco, TX | 19 mi | Mar 20 | Nov 10 |
| Austin-camp Mabry, TX | 23 mi | Feb 20 | Dec 3 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 33 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78620
When is the last frost in 78620?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78620 is March 17. For a more cautious planting date, use April 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78620?
The average first fall freeze is November 13. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 29.
What hardiness zone is 78620?
ZIP 78620 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 78620 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
78619 Driftwood 78738 Bee Cave 78737 Belterra 78736 Austin 78676 Wimberley 78669 Briarcliff 78739 Austin 78734 Lakeway
Other ZIP codes in Hays County
78610 78619 78640 78666 78676 78737 All Hays County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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