Last frost date in Galveston, TX

Average last frost
January 18

The average last frost in Galveston is January 18. By February 18 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about January 7, which leaves 365 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 13 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Feb 18
Average first frost
Jan 7
Frost-free season
365 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 9
Next 7 nights in Galveston

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2265°
  2. FriOct 2369°
  3. SatOct 2470°
  4. SunOct 2572°
  5. MonOct 2671°
  6. TueOct 2769°
  7. WedOct 2870°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 18First frost Jan 7365 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND365 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Galveston Scholes Field, 8.8 miles from Galveston.

Planting calendar for Galveston

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Texas.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesFeb 15–Mar 1
PumpkinsFeb 15–Mar 1
SunflowersFeb 15–Mar 8
CucumbersFeb 22–Mar 1
CornFeb 15–Mar 1
Sweet potatoesFeb 15–Mar 1
WatermelonFeb 15–Mar 1
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 15–Mar 1
PeppersFeb 15–Mar 1
BasilFeb 15–Mar 1
Butternut squashFeb 15–Mar 1
CantaloupeFeb 15–Mar 1
EggplantFeb 15–Mar 1
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesDec 21–Jan 4
OnionsDec 7–Dec 28
CarrotsDec 28–Feb 1
LettuceJan 4–Jan 25
BroccoliDec 21–Jan 4
BeetsDec 21–Feb 1
PeasDec 7–Dec 21
CabbageDec 21–Jan 4
RadishesDec 14–Jan 25
Brussels sproutsJan 4–Jan 18
SpinachDec 7–Dec 28
CilantroJan 4–Jan 25
KaleDec 21–Jan 4
Collard greensDec 21–Jan 4
TurnipsDec 21–Jan 4
DillJan 18–Feb 1
CeleryJan 25–Feb 1
CauliflowerJan 4–Jan 18
LeeksJan 4–Jan 18
Swiss chardJan 4–Feb 1
ParsleyJan 4–Jan 25
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 21–Jan 4
AsparagusDec 21–Jan 4

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 21Jan 18Feb 18Dec 13Jan 7Feb 7
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 17Jan 9Feb 11Dec 15Jan 8Feb 8

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Galveston Scholes Field (USW00012923) sits 8.8 miles from the center of Galveston at 5 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Galveston, TX?

The average last frost date in Galveston is January 18, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 18.

When is the first frost in Galveston?

The first frost in fall usually comes around January 7. One year in ten it arrives before December 13.

How long is the growing season in Galveston?

About 365 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Galveston?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from February 15 to March 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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