In Dallas, TX, the average last spring frost is Mar 8 and the average first fall frost is Nov 24, which leaves about 262 frost-free days for the garden. These dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Dallas Ft Worth Airport, TX weather station, at 560 feet above sea level.
A very long season allows two full rounds of vegetables. Plant cool-season crops early and again in fall, and plan warm-season crops so they finish before the hottest part of summer. Frost timing varies from year to year: in about 1 spring in 10 the last frost falls as late as Mar 26, and in about 1 fall in 10 the first frost arrives as early as Nov 6.
Frost dates for Dallas, TX
| Chance of a freeze (32°F) after or before this date | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Freeze-free season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic (about 1 year in 10) | Feb 17 | Dec 12 | 298 days |
| Average (half of years) | Mar 8 | Nov 24 | 262 days |
| Cautious (9 years in 10 are safe) | Mar 26 | Nov 6 | 225 days |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020. Use the cautious dates for tender crops such as tomatoes and peppers.
When to plant in Dallas, TX
These windows count weeks forward and back from the average frost dates above. They are planning guides: check the forecast before planting tender crops, and see our what to plant now tool for today's date.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors in spring | Plant in fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Jan 11 to Jan 25 | Mar 15 to Mar 22 | – |
| Peppers | Dec 28 to Jan 11 | Mar 22 to Mar 29 | – |
| Eggplant | Dec 28 to Jan 11 | Mar 22 to Mar 29 | – |
| Onions | Dec 28 to Jan 11 | Feb 8 to Feb 22 | – |
| Parsley | Dec 28 to Jan 11 | Mar 8 to Mar 15 | – |
| Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower | Jan 11 to Jan 25 | Feb 22 to Mar 1 | Sep 1 to Sep 29 |
| Basil | Jan 25 to Jan 25 | Mar 15 to Mar 22 | – |
| Peas | Sow outdoors | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Sep 1 to Sep 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Sep 29 to Oct 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Sep 29 to Oct 27 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors | Feb 8 to Feb 22 | Sep 29 to Oct 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors | Feb 8 to Feb 22 | Sep 1 to Sep 29 |
| Beets | Sow outdoors | Feb 8 to Feb 22 | Sep 1 to Sep 29 |
| Potatoes | Sow outdoors | Feb 8 to Feb 22 | – |
| Kale | Sow outdoors | Feb 8 to Feb 22 | Sep 1 to Sep 29 |
| Swiss chard | Sow outdoors | Feb 22 to Mar 8 | – |
| Cilantro | Sow outdoors | Feb 22 to Mar 8 | Sep 29 to Oct 27 |
| Dill | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 to Mar 15 | – |
| Bush beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 to Mar 22 | Aug 21 to Sep 4 |
| Pole beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 to Mar 22 | – |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 to Mar 22 | – |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 to Mar 22 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 |
| Zucchini and summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 to Mar 22 | Aug 21 to Sep 4 |
| Winter squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 to Mar 22 | – |
| Sweet potatoes (slips) | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | – |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | – |
A dash in the fall column means the crop is not usually planted in fall, or the season is too short.
Overnight lows this week
No frost is forecast in the next week, according to the National Weather Service.
| Night | Forecast low | Frost risk |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 14 night | 45°F | No frost expected |
| Sun 15 night | 45°F | No frost expected |
| Mon 16 night | 46°F | No frost expected |
| Tue 17 night | 49°F | No frost expected |
| Wed 18 night | 57°F | No frost expected |
| Thu 19 night | 59°F | No frost expected |
| Fri 20 night | 61°F | No frost expected |
Live forecast for the station location, from the National Weather Service. For your own ZIP code, use our garden weather forecast.
More garden tools for Dallas, TX
- Frost dates by ZIP code for your exact location
- What to plant now, based on today's date
- Garden weather forecast by ZIP code
- Safe transplant date calculator
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dallas, TX?
The average last spring frost is Mar 8. A late frost as far out as Mar 26 happens in about 1 year in 10, so tender plants such as tomatoes and peppers are safest after that cautious date.
When is the first frost in Dallas, TX?
The average first fall frost is Nov 24. It can arrive as early as Nov 6 in about 1 year in 10, so plan to harvest tender crops before then.
How long is the growing season in Dallas, TX?
The average freeze-free season is about 262 days, between the average last spring frost and the average first fall frost.
Where do these dates come from?
They come from the NOAA 1991 to 2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the Dallas Ft Worth Airport, TX station. Hills, valleys, lakes and city heat can shift frost by a week or more, so compare with neighbors who garden near you.