Austin (78701) — USDA Zone 8b

Frost dates and growing season for 78701

These are 50%-probability averages modeled from this ZIP's USDA hardiness zone and regional climate normals — not a single-station reading. In a typical year the last spring frost will have passed by March 6, but in a colder-than-average year it can run 1-2 weeks later. Plant tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) once both soil and night temperatures are consistently warm — a thermometer beats the calendar.

Growing season in Austin

Austin, Texas sits in USDA Zone 8b, with roughly 264 frost-free days between an average last spring frost around March 6 and a first fall frost around November 25. That is a near year-round season — the limiting factor is summer heat, not frost, so schedule cool-season crops for winter and protect tender ones from extreme highs. Austin lies near 30.3°N; higher-latitude gardens get longer midsummer days but a tighter shoulder season at this zone. As a large metro, the built-up core here typically runs up to half a zone warmer than outlying suburbs through the urban heat-island effect — sheltered city gardens often push tender crops a little earlier than the ZIP average suggests.

What grows in Austin

Austin falls in USDA Zone 8b, which means the same hardiness constraints apply as the full Zone 8 guide. Vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees rated to Zone 8b (or hardier) will overwinter here in a typical year.

• Tomatoes (spring + fall plantings)
• Peppers (sweet + hot)
• Okra
• Sweet potatoes
• Southern peas
• Melons, watermelon
• Figs
• Pomegranates
• Citrus (in protected spots — Meyer lemon)
• Pecans

What to plant in Austin this week

Austin is in the winter hold — outdoor planting is on pause. Use this time to plan, order seeds, and prep beds. Tomato and pepper seeds can start indoors 6-10 weeks before your last frost (March 6).

• When to plant tomatoes in zone 8
• When to plant peppers in zone 8
• When to plant basil in zone 8
• When to plant lettuce in zone 8
• When to plant peas in zone 8

Full planting calendar for Austin

Crop-by-crop sowing, transplant, and harvest dates calibrated to zone 8 averages:

• When to plant tomatoes in zone 8
• When to plant peppers in zone 8
• When to plant basil in zone 8
• When to plant garlic in zone 8
• When to plant lettuce in zone 8
• When to plant bush beans in zone 8
• When to plant cucumbers in zone 8
• When to plant summer squash in zone 8
• When to plant peas in zone 8
• When to plant carrots in zone 8

Local microclimate notes

Zone tables give you the average — but Austingardens vary. South-facing walls and paved areas can run a full half-zone warmer than the published rating. Low-lying spots, frost pockets, and shaded north sides can run colder. If you've gardened here a few seasons, your own frost record (the last time you actually got frost damage) is more accurate than any national average.

Source and methodology

Hardiness zone from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023 revision). Frost-date and growing-season figures are modeled from this ZIP's USDA hardiness zone and regional NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals — they are zone-level estimates, not a per-station record, so treat them as planning guidance and confirm against your own local frost history. Crop recommendations are drawn from US Cooperative Extension references and curated by the Growli editorial team. Last reviewed May 2026.

Nearby ZIP codes in Texas

• 78704 — Austin (South Austin) (Zone 8b)
• 77001 — Houston (Zone 9a)
• 77002 — Houston (Downtown) (Zone 9a)
• 77018 — Houston (Heights) (Zone 9a)
• 75201 — Dallas (Zone 8b)
• 76102 — Fort Worth (Zone 8a)
• 78205 — San Antonio (Zone 9a)
• 79901 — El Paso (Zone 8a)
• 78401 — Corpus Christi (Zone 9b)
• 78520 — Brownsville (Zone 10a)
• 79401 — Lubbock (Zone 7b)
• 76701 — Waco (Zone 8b)
• Browse all US ZIP codes by state

Related guides

• USDA Zone 8 — full plant + frost guide
• Look up another ZIP code
• Watering frequency calculator
• How to start a vegetable garden — beginner guide