Frost dates for ZIP 78144 (Karnes County, 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, Karnes City 2N, TX (3 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 1650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)300 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
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 3 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 sowing Sep 30–Oct 28
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 14–Nov 4
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 14–Nov 4
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 14–Nov 11
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 30–Oct 28
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 28–Nov 11
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 28–Nov 25
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 28–Nov 25
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 9: 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 13 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 16 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 13 |
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 20 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 9 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 10 (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 4 | Nov 27 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 16 | Dec 9 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 28 | Dec 27 |
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 78144
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 16) and first fall frost (Dec 9). 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 22–Jan 5 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 8–22 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 19–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 8–22 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 19–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Jan 26–Feb 16 (transplant) Jan 19–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–Nov 4 (transplant) Sep 30–Oct 28 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 5–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–Nov 4 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–Oct 14 (transplant) Sep 2–30 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Jan 19–Feb 16 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–Oct 14 (transplant) Sep 2–30 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 8–22 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Sep 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 8–22 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Sep 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 8–22 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | Sep 2–30 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Aug 19–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–Nov 11 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 19–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 5–19 | Feb 2–23 (transplant) Feb 2–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 26–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 12–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 28–Nov 11 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 19–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 26–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 22–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 5–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 28–Nov 25 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 5–19 (transplant) | Oct 28–Nov 25 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 19–26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 19–26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 19–26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 19–26 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 19–26 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 5–19 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Feb 23–Mar 2 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 5–19 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 2–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 8–22 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) Jan 26–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Sep 30–Oct 28 (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 16 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
This week in 78144
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
71°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station KV Ranch, 12 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 84°, Fri 78°.
4-inch depth
74°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 76°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station KV Ranch, 12 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 84°, Fri 81°.
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 78144 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Karnes City 2N, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00414696), elevation 450 ft, 3.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floresville, TX | 21 mi | Mar 6 | Nov 20 |
| Nixon, TX | 24 mi | Mar 7 | Nov 22 |
| Cuero, TX | 35 mi | Mar 2 | Nov 27 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 22 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78144
When is the last frost in 78144?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78144 is February 16. For a more cautious planting date, use March 13, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78144?
The average first fall freeze is December 9. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 20.
What hardiness zone is 78144?
ZIP 78144 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 78144 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
78117 78118 Karnes City 78111 78151 Runge 78116 78147 Poth 78113 Falls City 78119 Kenedy
Other ZIP codes in Karnes County
78111 78116 78117 78118 78119 78151 All Karnes County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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