Planting dates for Houston
Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at Houston William P Hobby Ap 72244, the official station 15 km from Houston, Texas.
Sow and transplant events for the staples, straight from this page.
Key windows for Houston (2026)
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | December 19 | February 6 |
| Pepper | December 5 | February 13 |
| Peas | – | December 26 |
| Lettuce | December 5 | January 2 |
| Carrot | – | January 9 |
| Bush beans | – | February 6 |
| Garlic | – | Fall planted |
| Potato | – | January 16 |
Mean-date planning windows, not guarantees; watch the local forecast at the shoulders. Method on the methodology page.
Houston planting questions
When is the last frost in Houston?
Around January 30, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at Houston William P Hobby Ap 72244, the official station 15 km from Houston. 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 Houston?
Start seeds indoors around December 19 and transplant around February 6, once nights hold above 50F. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for Houston.
How long is the growing season in Houston?
About 330 frost-free days on average, from roughly January 30 to December 28. 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 Houston William P Hobby Ap 72244: 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 Houston: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 2697 stations.