Frost dates for ZIP 78266 (Garden Ridge, 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, New Braunfels, TX (11 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)253 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°F avg. coldest night
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Feb 17 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 8 |
| 10% (safe-side: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 1 |
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 2 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 18 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 10 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 25 | Nov 7 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 8 | Nov 18 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 24 | Dec 2 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
This week in Garden Ridge
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
72°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 74°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station EAA Field Research Park, 3 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 83°, Fri 77°.
4-inch depth
74°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 76°F, as of Oct 17, 7:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station EAA Field Research Park, 3 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 83°, 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
No frost in the 7-day forecast.
| Period | High | Low | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonight | 46° | Partly Cloudy | |
| Sunday | 72° | 51° | Mostly Sunny |
| Monday | 76° | 57° | Mostly Sunny |
| Tuesday | 81° | 59° | Sunny |
| Wednesday | 84° | 60° | Sunny |
| Thursday | 86° | 61° | Sunny |
| Friday | 86° | 63° | Sunny |
National Weather Service forecast, issued Oct 17, 8:28 PM CDT. Frost can form above 32°F on clear, calm nights. Full NWS forecast.
Free frost alerts for 78266
An email when the National Weather Service forecasts a freeze for this ZIP, plus the spring soil-temperature heads-up. At most a few a month.
Alerts open soon. This form is a preview and doesn't send anything yet.
Where these numbers come from
Station: New Braunfels, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00416276), elevation 720 ft, 10.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Randolph AFB, TX | 8 mi | Feb 21 | Dec 5 |
| San Antonio Intl AP, TX | 11 mi | Feb 26 | Nov 28 |
| San Antonio Incarnate Word, TX | 15 mi | Feb 25 | Nov 28 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 18 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Questions
When is the last frost in 78266?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78266 is March 8. For a safer planting date, use April 1, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78266?
The average first fall freeze is November 18. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 2.
What hardiness zone is 78266?
ZIP 78266 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.