Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 78677 (Gonzales 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, Cheapside, TX (11 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)288 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 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
67°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 65°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Pennell Cattle Co, 12 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 78°, Fri 74°, Sat 68°.
4-inch depth
71°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 70°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Pennell Cattle Co, 12 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 79°, Fri 76°, Sat 71°.
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 78677 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 71°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 8 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 22–Oct 20
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 6–27
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 6–27
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 6–Nov 3
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 22–Oct 20
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 1: 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 21 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 21 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 16 |
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 1 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 29 |
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 19 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 21 | Dec 1 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 1 | Dec 14 |
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 78677
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 21) and first fall frost (Dec 1). 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 27–Jan 10 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Aug 4–Sep 1 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 13–27 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 1 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 13–27 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 1 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Jan 31–Feb 21 (transplant) Jan 24–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–27 (transplant) Sep 22–Oct 20 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 10–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–27 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–Oct 6 (transplant) Aug 25–Sep 22 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Jan 24–Feb 21 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–Oct 6 (transplant) Aug 25–Sep 22 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 13–27 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 13–27 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 13–27 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 1 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 24–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 24–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 10–24 | Feb 7–28 (transplant) Feb 7–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 24–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 31–Feb 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 17–Feb 28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 20–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 24–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 31–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 27–Jan 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 10–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 20–Nov 17 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 10–24 (transplant) | Oct 20–Nov 17 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Aug 11–25 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 14–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 24–31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 24–31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 24–31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 24–31 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 24–31 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 10–24 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Feb 28–Mar 7 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 10–24 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 7–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 13–27 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Jan 31–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Sep 22–Oct 20 (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 21 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Cheapside, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00411671), elevation 365 ft, 11.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nixon, TX | 12 mi | Mar 7 | Nov 22 |
| Gonzales 2S, TX | 12 mi | Feb 26 | Nov 28 |
| Luling, TX | 23 mi | Mar 5 | Nov 23 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 17 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 78677
When is the last frost in 78677?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 78677 is February 21. For a more cautious planting date, use March 16, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 78677?
The average first fall freeze is December 1. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 10.
What hardiness zone is 78677?
ZIP 78677 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 78677 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
78614 78159 Smiley 78122 78140 Nixon 78629 Gonzales 77994 78143 78658
Other ZIP codes in Gonzales County
78122 78140 78159 78614 78629 78632 78658 78959 All Gonzales 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.