Frost dates for ZIP 77414 (Bay City, 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, Bay City Wtr Wks, TX (7 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)290 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°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
Pre-emergent
Soil is 76°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): not yet. Apply as soil cools toward 70°F (typically October to early November).
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 Mar 31 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
- Lettuce: fall sowing Sep 24–Oct 22
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 8–29
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 8–29
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 8–Nov 5
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 24–Oct 22
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 3: 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) | Jan 19 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 20 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 15 |
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 10 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 3 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 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) | Mar 7 | Nov 20 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 20 | Dec 3 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 31 | Dec 22 |
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 77414
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 20) and first fall frost (Dec 3). 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 | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 12–26 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 12–26 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Jan 30–Feb 20 (transplant) Jan 23–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–29 (transplant) Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–29 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Jan 23–Feb 20 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 12–26 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 12–26 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 12–26 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 23–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 9–23 | Feb 6–27 (transplant) Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 30–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 16–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 23–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 30–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 26–Jan 23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 9–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 22–Nov 19 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 9–23 (transplant) | Oct 22–Nov 19 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Aug 13–27 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 13–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 23–30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 23–30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 23–30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 23–30 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 23–30 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 9–23 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Feb 27–Mar 6 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 9–23 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 12–26 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Jan 30–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (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 February 20 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
This week in Bay City
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
75°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 76°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Wied Ranch (50 mi), Bobadoo Ranch (59 mi).
4-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 77°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Wied Ranch (50 mi), Bobadoo Ranch (59 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 77414 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Bay City Wtr Wks, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00410569), elevation 52 ft, 7.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matagorda No 2, TX | 16 mi | Feb 5 | Dec 16 |
| Danevang 1 W, TX | 23 mi | Feb 15 | Dec 8 |
| Palacios Muni AP, TX | 25 mi | Feb 1 | Dec 17 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 19 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 77414
When is the last frost in 77414?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 77414 is February 20. For a more cautious planting date, use March 15, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 77414?
The average first fall freeze is December 3. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 10.
What hardiness zone is 77414?
ZIP 77414 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 77414 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
77483 Wadsworth 77415 77456 Markham 77482 Van Vleck 77457 Matagorda 77480 Sweeny 77440 77468
Other ZIP codes in Matagorda County
77415 77419 77428 77440 77456 77457 77458 77465 77468 77482 77483 All Matagorda County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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