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Frost dates and planting calendar for Arlington, Texas

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on USDA, NOAA and Colorado State University Extension data. Published by Humblebee.

USDA hardiness zone
8b[1]
Median last spring frost
Mar 9[2]
Median first fall frost
Nov 21[3]
Growing season, median
256 days[4]

Arlington, Texas is in USDA hardiness zone 8b[1]. The median last spring frost is March 9, which means in half of years the last frost comes after that date[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast spring frost: 9 in 10 years after Feb 18, half of years Mar 9, 1 in 10 years after Mar 28Last frostmedian Mar 9First fall frost: 9 in 10 years before Dec 7, half of years Nov 21, 1 in 10 years before Nov 3First frostmedian Nov 21Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Feb 9 to Feb 23Feb 9 to Feb 23Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Feb 23 to Mar 9Feb 23 to Mar 9TenderTender vegetables: plant around Mar 9around Mar 9Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from Mar 23from Mar 23
Shaded: the span between the dates frost passes in 9 of 10 years and 1 of 10 years[2][3]. Green: planting windows from the CSU rules applied to the median last frost (GardenFacts calculation)[6]. Exact dates are in the tables below.

These frost dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Arlington Municipal Airport weather station, using records from 1991 to 2020[5]. In 9 of 10 years the last spring frost comes after February 18, and in 1 of 10 years it comes after March 28[2]. In the fall, the median first frost is November 21, and in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before November 3[3]. These are chances from past years and not a forecast, so any year can be earlier or later[2][3].

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after February 18 after March 9 after March 28
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before November 3 before November 21 before December 7
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date February 25, median first fall date December 4[7].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 229 days in 9 of 10 years, 256 days in half of years and 282 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
  • The low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years and 28°F or colder in 99.9% of years[8].
  • Weather station: Arlington Municipal Airport (USW00053907), 3.1 miles from the city center, 630 feet, 18 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].

When to plant vegetables

Colorado State University Extension's planting guide was written for Colorado, so we use its rules with Arlington's NOAA median last frost of March 9[9]. Hardy vegetables such as broccoli, lettuce and spinach can go in as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost, which works out to February 9 to February 23[6]. Semi-hardy vegetables such as beets, carrots and potatoes can go in as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost, which is February 23[10]. Tender vegetables such as snap beans and sweet corn can be planted from seed around March 9[9]. Very tender vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers typically start 2 or more weeks after the median last frost, so March 23 is the earliest start and not a planting day[11].

  • Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (March 9) is February 9 to February 23[6]
  • Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (March 9) is February 23, up to the median date itself[10]
  • Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, March 9[9]
  • Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (March 9), is March 23[11]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[12] Feb 9 Apr 15 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[12] Feb 9 May 5 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[12] Feb 9 Mar 31
Lettuce (hardy)[12] Feb 9 Apr 10
Onions (hardy)[12] Feb 9 May 30
Peas (hardy)[12] Feb 9 Apr 15
Radishes (hardy)[12] Feb 9 Mar 11
Spinach (hardy)[12] Feb 9 Mar 21
Turnips (hardy)[12] Feb 9 Mar 31
Beets (semi-hardy)[12] Feb 23 Apr 24
Carrots (semi-hardy)[12] Feb 23 May 4
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[12] Feb 23 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[12] Feb 23 May 4
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[12] Feb 23 Jun 28
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[12] Feb 23 Apr 24
Snap beans (tender)[12] Mar 9 May 8
Sweet corn (tender)[12] Mar 9 May 8
Cucumbers (tender)[12] Mar 9 May 3
Summer squash (tender)[12] Mar 9 Apr 28
Cantaloupe (very tender)[12] Mar 23 Jun 16
Eggplant (very tender)[12] Mar 23 May 22 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[12] Mar 23 Jun 1 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[12] Mar 23 May 27 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[12] Mar 23 Jul 1
Watermelon (very tender)[12] Mar 23 Jun 16
Spacing, depth and soil temperature (CSU Extension)
Vegetable Min. soil temp Depth Spacing Days to harvest
Broccoli[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 65
Cabbage[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 85
Kohlrabi[13] 40°F 1/2 in 7-9 in 50
Lettuce[13] 35°F 1/4 in 7-9 in 60
Onions[13] 35°F 1/4 in (seed), 1-2 in (sets) 4-6 in 110
Peas[13] 40°F 1 in 4-6 in 65
Radishes[13] 40°F 1/2 in 2-3 in 30
Spinach[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 40
Turnips[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 50
Beets[13] 40°F 3/4-1 in 4-6 in 60
Carrots[13] 40°F 1/4 in 2-3 in 70
Cauliflower[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in –
Parsnips[13] 35°F 1/2 in 5-6 in 70
Potatoes[13] 45°F – – 125
Swiss chard[13] 40°F 1 in 7-9 in 60
Snap beans[13] 55°F 1-1 1/2 in 6 in 60
Sweet corn[13] 50°F 1-1 1/2 in 12 x 30 in or 9 x 36 in 60-90
Cucumbers[13] 60°F 1 in 6 in trellised, 24-36 in untrellised 55
Summer squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 50
Cantaloupe[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85
Eggplant[13] 60°F 1/4 in 18-24 in 60
Peppers[13] 60°F 1/4 in 15-18 in 70
Tomatoes[13] 50°F 1/4 in 24 in trellised 65
Winter squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 100
Watermelon[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85

Hardiness zone

The 2023 USDA map puts Arlington in zone 8b, which means an average coldest night of the year between 15°F and 20°F over 1991 to 2020[1]. The zone is based on the coldest winter night and not on frost dates or summer heat[14]. By land area, 100% of the city lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8b, so Arlington does not span more than one zone[15].

Zone 8b: average annual extreme minimum temperature 15°F to 20°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: 17.7°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 8b 100%[15].

All towns in zone 8b and what zone 8b means

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
76001[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76017[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76010[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76011[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76018[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76012[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76013[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76016[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76002[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76006[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76014[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76015[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76005[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76060[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
75052[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76120[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76119[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76063[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76040[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
75051[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
76112[15] 8b 15 to 20°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is Arlington, Texas?
The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Arlington in zone 8b[1]. All of the city's land area is in ZIP code areas rated 8b[15].
When is the last frost in Arlington?
The median last spring frost is March 9, so in half of years the last frost comes after that date[2]. In 1 of 10 years it comes after March 28[2].
When to plant tomatoes in Arlington?
Using CSU Extension's rule for very tender vegetables, typically 2 or more weeks after the average last frost, the earliest start is March 23[11]. That is the earliest start and not a promise of safe weather[11].
When is the first frost in Arlington?
The median first fall frost is November 21, so in half of years the first frost comes before that date[3]. In 1 of 10 years it comes before November 3[3].
How long is the growing season in Arlington?
The growing season is at least 256 days in half of years at the Arlington Municipal Airport station[4]. It is at least 229 days in 9 of 10 years[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Arlington, Texas in zone 8b. Zone 8b means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 15°F to 20°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is 17.7°F. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
  2. Last spring frost (32°F) at this station: in 9 of 10 years the last frost comes after February 18, in half of years after March 9, and in 1 of 10 years after March 28 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is March 9. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  3. First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before November 3, in half of years before November 21, and in 9 of 10 years before December 7 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is November 21. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 229 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 256 days in half of years, and at least 282 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Arlington Municipal Airport weather station (USW00053907), 3.1 miles from the center of Arlington at 630 feet, using 18 years of records from 1991 to 2020. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  6. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips as hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 2-4 weeks before the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  7. Hard freeze (28°F) at this station: the median last spring date is February 25 and the median first fall date is December 4. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  8. At this station the low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years from 1991 to 2020, and 28°F or colder in 99.9% of years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  9. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash as tender vegetables, with this rule: from seed around the average last spring frost; cucumber and summer squash... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  10. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard as semi-hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 0-2 weeks before the average last spring frost.... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  11. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon as very tender vegetables, with this rule: typically 2 or more weeks after the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  12. GardenFacts calculation: earliest planting date plus CSU days to harvest (table on this page), from the station's median last frost. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  13. CSU Extension vegetable table: soil temperature, depth, spacing, days to harvest (table on this page). CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  14. USDA hardiness zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature (the coldest night of each winter, averaged over 1991 to 2020 for the 2023 map), not on summer heat or frost dates. Each zone spans 10°F and each half zone (a or b)... USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
  15. Arlington, Texas overlaps 21 ZIP code areas. By land area, 100% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8b. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)

Frost dates are probabilities from 1991 to 2020 weather records at one NOAA station, not a forecast. Any year can be earlier or later. The hardiness zone describes the average coldest winter night, not frost dates or summer heat. Spots inside the city can differ (ZIP table). Planting rules come from Colorado State University Extension's guide, written for Colorado. A local extension office may give dates tuned to the area. Planting and harvest dates marked GardenFacts calculation are simple arithmetic from the facts above, not advice from the source.

Hardiness zone data: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed October 30, 2026. This is not the official USDA map. Frost data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension.