Frost Dates for Brownsville, TX

In Brownsville, TX, the average last spring frost is around Jan 9 and the average first fall frost around Jan 4, for a growing season of about 365 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Mar 1, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostJan 950% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantMar 1only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostJan 450% chance of frost before this date
Growing season365 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Wfo Brownsville, TX weather station, 6 miles away, elevation 15 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%Mar 1Dec 9
20%Feb 6Dec 19
30%Jan 24Dec 29
40%Jan 16Jan 1
50%Jan 9Jan 4
60%Jan 5Jan 7
70%Jan 1Jan 13
80%Dec 25Jan 28
90%Dec 12Feb 18

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Jan 25Dec 30
Frost / freeze (32°F)Jan 9Jan 4
Hard freeze (28°F)——

Planting calendar for Brownsville

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Nov 14 – Nov 28
Transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Peppers
Indoors Oct 31 – Nov 14
Transplant Jan 23 – Feb 6
Eggplant
Indoors Oct 31 – Nov 14
Transplant Jan 23 – Feb 6
Basil
Indoors Nov 28 – Dec 12
Transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Cucumbers
Indoors Dec 12 – Dec 19
Sow or transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Dec 12 – Dec 19
Sow or transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Jan 16 – Jan 30
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Dec 12 – Dec 19
Sow or transplant Jan 23 – Feb 6
Green beans
Sow Jan 16 – Jan 30
Sweet corn
Sow Jan 16 – Jan 30
Lettuce
Indoors Nov 28 – Dec 12
Sow or transplant Dec 12 – Dec 26
Fall sowing Nov 9 – Dec 7
Spinach
Sow Nov 28 – Dec 19
Fall sowing Nov 9 – Nov 30
Peas
Sow Nov 28 – Dec 12
Fall sowing Oct 26 – Nov 9
Kale
Indoors Nov 14 – Nov 28
Sow or transplant Dec 12 – Dec 26
Fall sowing Oct 26 – Nov 23
Broccoli
Indoors Nov 14 – Nov 28
Transplant Dec 26 – Jan 9
Fall sowing Oct 12 – Oct 26
Cabbage
Indoors Nov 14 – Nov 28
Transplant Dec 19 – Jan 2
Fall sowing Oct 12 – Oct 26
Carrots
Sow Dec 19 – Jan 9
Fall sowing Oct 12 – Oct 26
Radishes
Sow Dec 5 – Dec 26
Fall sowing Nov 23 – Dec 14
Beets
Sow Dec 19 – Jan 9
Fall sowing Oct 26 – Nov 9
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Oct 17 – Oct 31
Plant Dec 12 – Dec 26
Potatoes
Plant Dec 19 – Jan 2
Garlic
Plant Jan 4 – Feb 1

Based on the average last frost (Jan 9) and first frost (Jan 4). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

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