The Home Almanac

Vol. I, MMXXVIThe American home, in season.Across all fifty states

Planting dates for Austin

Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at Austin-Camp Mabry 72254, the official station 6 km from Austin, Texas.

Last spring frostFebruary 20
First fall frostDecember 3
Frost-free season291 days

Sow and transplant events for the staples, straight from this page.

Key windows for Austin (2026)

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sow
Tomato January 9 February 27
Pepper December 26 March 6
Peas January 16
Lettuce December 26 January 23
Carrot January 30
Bush beans February 27
Garlic Fall planted
Potato February 6

Mean-date planning windows, not guarantees; watch the local forecast at the shoulders. Method on the methodology page.

Austin planting questions

When is the last frost in Austin?

Around February 20, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at Austin-Camp Mabry 72254, the official station 6 km from Austin. Half of years see frost after the mean, so tender crops usually wait a week or more past it.

When can I plant tomatoes in Austin?

Start seeds indoors around January 9 and transplant around February 27, once nights hold above 50F. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for Austin.

How long is the growing season in Austin?

About 291 frost-free days on average, from roughly February 20 to December 3. Crops whose days-to-maturity exceed that window need transplants, short-season varieties, or season extension.

How this page was made

Every date above is computed from the NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals at Austin-Camp Mabry 72254: the 30-year mean dates of last spring and first fall frost, with crop offsets from standard horticultural practice. Full method and crop sources: data and methodology. These are planning averages, not forecasts: half of years frost later than the mean, so harden off transplants and watch the local forecast at the shoulders of the season.

More for Austin: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 2697 stations.