Fall in zone 10aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 78573 (Alton, 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, La Joya, TX (2 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 79% of years (about 2 freezing night(s) a year on average). The dates below describe freeze timing for the station's record; in many years there may be no 32°F freeze at all.
- Average last spring frostJan 2350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 2850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)340 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone10a30 to 35°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Freezes are uncommon here, so frost-based timing is rough. Local extension calendars for frost-free areas use months.
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
75°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 72°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Edinburg 17 NNE (22 mi), Weslaco (23 mi), Texas AgriScience (25 mi).
4-inch depth
77°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 75°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Edinburg 17 NNE (22 mi), Weslaco (23 mi), Texas AgriScience (25 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 78573 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 77°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 3 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
- Kale: fall sowing Sep 21–Oct 19
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 5–Nov 2
- Collards: fall sowing Sep 21–Oct 19
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 5–Nov 2
- Broccoli: fall transplant Sep 21–Oct 19
- Cabbage: fall transplant Sep 21–Oct 19
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Sep 21–Oct 19
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 5–19
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 5–19
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 5–19
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 5–19
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 5–19
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 19–Nov 16
- Lettuce: fall transplant Nov 2–23
- Spinach: fall sowing Nov 2–23
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 31–Nov 14
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 19–Nov 2
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Nov 2–16
- Arugula: fall sowing Nov 2–30
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Nov 2–16
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 19–Nov 2
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 19–Nov 2
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 19–Nov 2
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 31–Nov 14
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
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) | Dec 22 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 23 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 27 |
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) | Dec 2 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 28 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 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) | Feb 11 | Dec 7 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 23 | Dec 28 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 7 | Jan 1 (next year) |
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 78573
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 23) and first fall frost (Dec 28). 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 | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 28 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 14–28 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 7–28 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 14–28 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 7–28 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 2–23 (transplant) Dec 26–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Nov 2–23 (transplant) Oct 19–Nov 16 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 12–Jan 2 (sow outdoors) | Nov 2–23 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Dec 26–Jan 9 (transplant) Dec 26–Jan 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 5–Nov 2 (transplant) Sep 21–Oct 19 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Dec 26–Jan 23 (transplant) Dec 26–Jan 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 5–Nov 2 (transplant) Sep 21–Oct 19 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 14–28 | Dec 26–Jan 9 (transplant) | Sep 21–Oct 19 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 14–28 | Dec 26–Jan 9 (transplant) | Sep 21–Oct 19 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 14–28 | Jan 9–23 (transplant) | Sep 21–Oct 19 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Dec 26–Jan 9 (transplant) | Sep 7–28 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Dec 26–Jan 9 (transplant) Dec 26–Jan 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 19–Nov 2 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 26–Jan 9 (sow outdoors) | Nov 2–16 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 26–Jan 23 (sow outdoors) | Nov 2–30 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 26–Jan 16 (sow outdoors) | Nov 2–16 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 12–26 | Jan 9–30 (transplant) Jan 9–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 19–Nov 2 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 26–Jan 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 19–Nov 2 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 5–19 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 19–Jan 30 (sow outdoors) | Nov 16–30 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 26–Jan 16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 19–Nov 2 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 28–Dec 26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 5–19 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 12–Jan 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 19–Nov 2 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Dec 26–Jan 9 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 16–Dec 14 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | Nov 16–Dec 14 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 26–Jan 9 (transplant) | Sep 7–21 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 30–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 30–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 5–19 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 30–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 13–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 26–Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) Jan 30–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 5–19 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 26–Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) Jan 30–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 5–19 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 26–Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) Jan 30–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 30–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 26–Jan 2 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 26–Jan 2 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 12–26 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Jan 30–Feb 6 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 12–26 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) Jan 30–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 9–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Nov 2–16 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 14–28 | Jan 9–23 (transplant) Jan 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Nov 2–16 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 26–Jan 9 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 26–Jan 9 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 26–Jan 9 (transplant) | Oct 19–Nov 16 (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 January 23 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: La Joya, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00414911), elevation 213 ft, 2.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mcallen, TX | 8 mi | Jan 9 | Jan 1 (next year) |
| Mcallen Miller Intl AP, TX | 8 mi | Jan 9 | Jan 3 (next year) |
| Edinburg, TX | 9 mi | Jan 8 | Jan 2 (next year) |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 15 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78573
When is the last frost in 78573?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78573 is January 23. For a more cautious planting date, use February 27, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78573?
The average first fall freeze is December 28. In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 2.
What hardiness zone is 78573?
ZIP 78573 is in USDA zone 10a (30 to 35°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 78573 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
78504 McAllen 78574 La Homa 78501 McAllen 78539 Edinburg 78572 Mission 78503 McAllen 78576 Penitas 78541 Edinburg
Other ZIP codes in Hidalgo County
78501 78503 78504 78516 78537 78538 78539 78540 78541 78542 78543 78549 78557 78558 78560 78562 78563 78565 78570 78572 78574 78576 78577 78579 All Hidalgo County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.