Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 78588 (Starr 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, Mccook, TX (21 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 86% 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 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 1950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)333 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 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
77°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 74°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Rancho Las Comitas, 14 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 87°, Fri 81°, Sat 77°.
4-inch depth
79°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 78°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Rancho Las Comitas, 14 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 87°, Fri 83°, Sat 80°.
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 78588 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 79°F at 4 inches. 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 2 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 Oct 10–Nov 7
- Kale: fall transplant Sep 26–Oct 24
- Collards: fall transplant Sep 26–Oct 24
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 10–24
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 10–24
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 10–24
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 10–24
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 10–24
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 10–Nov 7
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 24–Nov 14
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 24–Nov 14
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 24–Nov 7
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 24–Nov 21
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 24–Nov 7
- Radish: fall sowing Nov 7–21
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
- Garlic: fall sowing Nov 7–Dec 5
- Shallot: fall sowing Nov 7–Dec 5
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
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 19 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 22 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 5 |
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 26 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 19 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 23 (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 18 | Dec 4 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 22 | Dec 19 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 6 | 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 78588
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 22) and first fall frost (Dec 19). 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 27–Dec 11 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | Aug 22–Sep 19 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 13–27 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) | Aug 29–Sep 19 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 13–27 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) | Aug 29–Sep 19 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Jan 1–22 (transplant) Dec 25–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 24–Nov 14 (transplant) Oct 10–Nov 7 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 11–Jan 1 (sow outdoors) | Oct 24–Nov 14 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) Dec 25–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 24 (transplant) Sep 12–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Dec 25–Jan 22 (transplant) Dec 25–Jan 22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 24 (transplant) Sep 12–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 13–27 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Sep 12–Oct 10 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 13–27 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Sep 12–Oct 10 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 13–27 | Jan 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 12–Oct 10 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Aug 29–Sep 19 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) Dec 25–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–24 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 24–Nov 7 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 25–Jan 22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 24–Nov 21 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 25–Jan 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 24–Nov 7 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 11–25 | Jan 8–29 (transplant) Jan 8–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–24 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 25–Jan 22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–24 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 18–Jan 29 (sow outdoors) | Nov 7–21 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 25–Jan 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 27–Dec 25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Dec 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 11–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–24 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 7–Dec 5 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 11–25 (transplant) | Nov 7–Dec 5 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 12–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 11–25 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Jan 29–Feb 5 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 11–25 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 8–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 24–Nov 7 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 13–27 | Jan 8–22 (transplant) Jan 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 22–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 24–Nov 7 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 22–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Oct 10–Nov 7 (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 22 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Mccook, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00415721), elevation 220 ft, 20.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Manuel, TX | 21 mi | Jan 25 | Jan 1 (next year) |
| Edinburg 17 NNE, TX | 25 mi | Jan 21 | Dec 23 |
| La Joya, TX | 29 mi | Jan 23 | Dec 28 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 4 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78588
When is the last frost in 78588?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78588 is January 22. For a more cautious planting date, use March 5, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78588?
The average first fall freeze is December 19. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 26.
What hardiness zone is 78588?
ZIP 78588 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 78588 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
78536 Delmita 78563 Linn 78591 Santa Anna 78353 Encino 78541 Edinburg 78582 Rio Grande City 78360 Guerra 78540
Other ZIP codes in Starr County
78536 78545 78547 78548 78582 78584 78585 78591 All Starr 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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- Weekly yard to-dos
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.