Frost Dates for Brownsville, TX 78520
Brownsville has 3 ZIP codes. The Brownsville, TX frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost December 23 · First fall frost January 24 · 32 frost-free days · USDA Zone 10a
Frost probability for 78520
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | February 13 | December 23 | — |
| Fall (first frost) | December 12 | January 24 | — |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at the nearest reporting station (28.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Month by month in Brownsville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plant cool-season crops: lettuce, spinach, broccoli, peas, and carrots. |
| February | Direct sow brassicas and root vegetables. Start warm-season seedlings indoors. |
| March | Transplant warm-season crops outdoors. Sow beans, cucumbers, and squash. |
| April | Main warm-season planting window. Direct sow melons and sweet corn. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce. Keep beds irrigated as temperatures climb. |
| June | Monitor for heat stress. Harvest zucchini and cucumbers frequently. |
| July | Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Watch for pests. |
| August | Start fall cool-season crops: broccoli, kale, beets, and carrots. |
| September | Plant fall lettuce, spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| October | Harvest mature crops. Direct sow cold-tolerant greens. |
| November | Plant garlic and onion sets. Harvest cool-season crops through the month. |
| December | Plant cool-season crops for winter harvest. Plan next year's garden. |
What grows in a 32-day season
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Brownsville, TX (ZIP 78520)?
The median last spring frost date for Brownsville, TX (ZIP code 78520) is around December 23. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area.
What is the first fall frost date in Brownsville, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Brownsville, TX is around January 24. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses.
How long is the growing season in Brownsville, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Brownsville is about 32 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side.
What USDA hardiness zone is Brownsville, TX?
Based on frost date patterns, Brownsville falls approximately in 10a. USDA hardiness zones are determined by average annual minimum winter temperatures and guide both plant selection and planting timing for your location.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Brownsville, TX?
Start tomato seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost date (around December 23). For Brownsville, that's roughly October 28 to November 11. Transplant outdoors 1–2 weeks after your last frost.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for San Benito, TX 78586 (11.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Los Fresnos, TX 78566 (14.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Brownsville, TX 78521 (14.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Port Isabel, TX 78578 (16.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Harlingen, TX 78550 (21.1 mi)
- When to plant in TX
- When to plant Beets in TX
- When to plant Broccoli in TX
- When to plant Carrots in TX
- When to plant Kale in TX
- When to plant Onions in TX
- When to plant Peas in TX
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