Frost dates for ZIP 78621 (Elgin, 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, Elgin 1 N, TX (2 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)264 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°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
71°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 71°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Pecan Grove Farms, 13 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 83°, Fri 77°.
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 Pecan Grove Farms, 13 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 84°, Fri 79°.
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 78621 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 Apr 19 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
- Lettuce: fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 20
- Spinach: fall sowing Sep 29–Oct 20
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 29–Oct 27
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 13–Nov 10
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 13–Nov 10
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 24: 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 12 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 4 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 23 |
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 5 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 24 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 13 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 18 | Nov 12 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 4 | Nov 24 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 21 | Dec 9 |
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 78621
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 4) and first fall frost (Nov 24). 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 7–21 | Mar 11–25 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Mar 18–Apr 1 (transplant) | Aug 4–25 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Mar 18–Apr 1 (transplant) | Aug 4–25 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 7–21 | Mar 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 7–21 | Feb 11–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 4–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 20 (transplant) Sep 15–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 21–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 20 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 7–21 | Feb 4–18 (transplant) Feb 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–29 (transplant) Aug 18–Sep 15 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 7–21 | Feb 4–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 4–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–29 (transplant) Aug 18–Sep 15 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 15 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 15 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 15 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 10–24 | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | Aug 4–25 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 7–21 | Feb 4–18 (transplant) Feb 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 4–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 4–25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 21–Feb 4 | Feb 18–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 4–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 11–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 28–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 4–25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 11–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 7–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 10–24 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 21–Feb 18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 10–24 | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 13–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) | Oct 13–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | Aug 4–18 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 11–25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 18–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 25–Apr 15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 4–11 | Mar 11–25 (transplant) Mar 11–25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 4–11 | Mar 11–25 (transplant) Mar 11–25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 4–11 | Mar 11–25 (transplant) Mar 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 4–11 | Mar 18–Apr 1 (transplant) Mar 18–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 4–11 | Mar 18–Apr 1 (transplant) Mar 18–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 21–Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 (transplant) Mar 18–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 10–24 | Mar 11–18 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 21–Feb 4 | Mar 11–25 (transplant) Mar 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 18–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 11–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 13 (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 4 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Elgin 1 N, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00412820), elevation 594 ft, 2.0 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor 1NW, TX | 17 mi | Mar 8 | Nov 21 |
| Lexington, TX | 21 mi | Mar 5 | Nov 21 |
| Austin Bergstrom AP, TX | 22 mi | Mar 12 | Nov 16 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 8 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78621
When is the last frost in 78621?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78621 is March 4. For a more cautious planting date, use March 23, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78621?
The average first fall freeze is November 24. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 5.
What hardiness zone is 78621?
ZIP 78621 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 78621 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
78650 McDade 78615 Coupland 78653 Manor 78602 Camp Swift 76578 Thrall 78660 Pflugerville 78724 Austin 78725 Hornsby Bend
Other ZIP codes in Bastrop County
78602 78612 78650 78659 78662 78953 78957 All Bastrop County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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