USDA zone 9a in Texas
USDA plant hardiness zone 9a covers 95 locations across Texas (average annual extreme minimum 20 to 25 °F): Austin, TX, Austin, TX, Austin, TX, Bastrop, TX, Batesville, TX, Beaumont, TX, and 89 more. Average last spring frost across this group ranges February 2 (Katy) to March 21 (Bremond), and growing seasons run 234–318 days (Bremond to Katy) — even within one state, because hardiness sets winter survival, not planting dates. The table below gives every Texas location's own frost dates; the printable planting calendar uses Deweyville, this group's median-season location.
- USDA zone
- 9a20 to 25 °F
- Last frost range
- Feb 2–Mar 21avg, 32°F
- First frost range
- Nov 9–Dec 11avg, 32°F
- Growing season range
- 234–318days
Locations in this group
Every location below shares this zone and a nearby weather station, but keeps its own frost dates — find your town for its own numbers, or use the ZIP planner on the home page for an instant personalized answer.
| Location | Also covers | Nearest station | Last frost | First frost | Season (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | Bee Cave, Hudson Bend, Shady Hollow, Hays | Dripping Springs 6 E | Mar 17 | Nov 13 | 242 |
| Austin | Cedar Creek, Garfield, Creedmoor, San Leanna | Austin Bergstrom Ap | Mar 12 | Nov 16 | 252 |
| Austin | Volente | Austin-camp Mabry | Feb 20 | Dec 3 | 291 |
| Bastrop | Red Rock | Cedar Creek 5 S | Mar 14 | Nov 19 | 250 |
| Batesville | La Pryor, Chula Vista | Crystal City | Feb 10 | Dec 10 | 307 |
| Beaumont | Pine Forest | Beaumont City | Feb 14 | Dec 4 | 299 |
| Beaumont | Kountze, Sour Lake, Hull, China, Nome | Beaumont Rsch Ctr | Feb 18 | Dec 2 | 291 |
| Bigfoot | Moore, Charlotte | Charlotte 5 Nnw | Feb 26 | Nov 28 | 278 |
| Box Canyon | — | Amistad Dam | Feb 14 | Dec 6 | 297 |
| Bremond | Rosebud | Marlin | Mar 21 | Nov 9 | 234 |
| Brenham | Bellville, Carmine, Burton, Industry | Brenham | Mar 2 | Nov 30 | 273 |
| Bryan | College Station, Lake Bryan, Kurten, Caldwell, Snook, Iola | College Stn | Feb 27 | Nov 30 | 278 |
| Buda | — | Austin 6s | Mar 10 | Nov 17 | 252 |
| Cameron | Burlington, Milano, Gause | Cameron | Mar 6 | Nov 23 | 261 |
| Canyon Lake | — | Canyon Dam | Mar 1 | Dec 1 | 276 |
| Carrizo Springs | El Indio, Asherton | Carrizo Springs 3s | Mar 5 | Nov 22 | 265 |
| Christine | — | Cross | Mar 8 | Nov 17 | 254 |
| Cleveland | Shepherd, North Cleveland | Cleveland | Mar 7 | Nov 20 | 259 |
| Conroe | The Woodlands, Pinehurst, Montgomery, Willis, Shenandoah | Conroe | Feb 24 | Dec 2 | 285 |
| Cotulla | Big Wells | Cotulla La Salle Co Ap | Feb 11 | Dec 3 | 300 |
| Cuero | Yorktown, Smiley | Cuero | Mar 2 | Nov 27 | 270 |
| Devers | — | Anahuac | Feb 12 | Dec 6 | 302 |
| Deweyville * | Buna, Vinton, Little Cypress, Starks, Kirbyville | Orange 9 N | Feb 28 | Nov 23 | 273 |
| Diboll | Huntington, Pleasant Hill, Corrigan, Chester, Broaddus | Lufkin Angelina Co Ap | Mar 11 | Nov 15 | 247 |
| East Bernard | Eagle Lake | Eagle Lake Resch Ctr | Feb 21 | Dec 1 | 285 |
| El Campo | Wharton, Nada, Hungerford | El Campo | Feb 23 | Dec 5 | 287 |
| Evadale | Lumberton, Silsbee, Kountze | Lumberton | Feb 25 | Nov 30 | 281 |
| Floresville | Poth, La Vernia, Sandy Oaks, Stockdale, Falls | Floresville | Mar 6 | Nov 20 | 261 |
| Fowlerton | — | Fowlerton | Mar 3 | Nov 25 | 266 |
| Fulshear | Sealy, San Felipe, Pattison, Simonton, Wallis, Orchard | Sealy | Feb 28 | Nov 30 | 276 |
| Garwood | New Ulm, Sheridan, Rock Island, Columbus, Weimar, Glidden, +1 more | Columbus | Mar 9 | Nov 20 | 255 |
| Giddings | La Grange, Plum, Carmine, Round Top, Fayetteville | La Grange | Mar 4 | Nov 25 | 267 |
| Goliad | — | Goliad | Feb 25 | Dec 1 | 280 |
| Gonzales | Smiley | Gonzales 2s | Feb 26 | Nov 28 | 272 |
| Groveton | — | Groveton | Mar 2 | Nov 26 | 267 |
| Hardin | Hull, Devers, Daisetta | Liberty | Feb 21 | Dec 1 | 286 |
| Hearne | Calvert, Franklin | Franklin | Feb 28 | Nov 28 | 277 |
| Hemphill | — | Toledo Bend Lake | Mar 1 | Nov 30 | 272 |
| Holland | Buckholts, Bartlett, Rogers, Thorndale, Granger, Thrall | Granger Dam | Mar 5 | Nov 22 | 261 |
| Hondo | Knippa, Yancey, Devine, D'Hanis, Sabinal | Hondo Muni Ap | Mar 6 | Nov 20 | 263 |
| Huntsville | New Waverly, Riverside, Oakhurst | Huntsville | Mar 1 | Nov 28 | 272 |
| Huntsville | Westwood Shores, Shiro, Richards | Huntsville Muni Ap | Mar 2 | Nov 26 | 272 |
| Jasper | Sam Rayburn, Browndell, Zavalla, Pineland, Broaddus | Sam Rayburn Dam | Feb 24 | Dec 1 | 280 |
| Karnes | Runge, Nordheim | Karnes City 2n | Feb 16 | Dec 9 | 300 |
| Katy | Cinco Ranch | Houston Sugarland Mem | Feb 2 | Dec 11 | 318 |
| Kennard | — | Crockett | Mar 13 | Nov 17 | 251 |
| Laughlin AFB | — | Del Rio Intl Ap | Feb 16 | Dec 3 | 293 |
| Leander | — | Austin 33 Nw | Mar 2 | Nov 29 | 274 |
| Lockhart | Luling, Kingsbury, Staples, Harwood | Luling | Mar 5 | Nov 23 | 263 |
| Louise | Ganado, Midfield | Danevang 1 W | Feb 15 | Dec 8 | 301 |
| Lyons | — | Somerville Dam | Mar 18 | Nov 9 | 238 |
| Lytle | Castroville, Macdona, Natalia, LaCoste | Lytle 3w | Feb 24 | Dec 2 | 283 |
| Madisonville | Midway, Normangee, Bedias, Iola | Madisonville | Mar 16 | Nov 11 | 240 |
| Manor | Elgin, McDade, Coupland | Elgin 1 N | Mar 4 | Nov 24 | 264 |
| Milam | — | San Augustine | Mar 18 | Nov 13 | 240 |
| Navasota | Prairie View, Hempstead, Waller, Shiro, Plantersville, Anderson | Washington Sp | Mar 7 | Nov 19 | 259 |
| New Braunfels | Schertz, Marion | New Braunfels | Mar 8 | Nov 18 | 253 |
| New Braunfels | Seguin, McQueeney | Austin San Antonio | Mar 1 | Nov 26 | 273 |
| Onalaska | Big Thicket Lake Estates, Point Blank, Coldspring, Indian Springs, Seven Oaks, Goodrich | Livingston 2 Nne | Mar 1 | Nov 24 | 269 |
| Pawnee | Christine, Three Rivers | Choke Canyon Dam | Feb 8 | Dec 6 | 302 |
| Pearsall | Hilltop | Dilley | Feb 16 | Dec 6 | 296 |
| Pettus | Pawnee, Tuleta, Kenedy | Beeville 5 Ne | Feb 17 | Dec 8 | 299 |
| Pleasanton | Leming, Christine | Pleasanton | Feb 27 | Nov 28 | 274 |
| Praesel | Lexington, Dime Box, Deanville | Lexington | Mar 5 | Nov 21 | 262 |
| Presidio | — | Presidio | Feb 23 | Nov 26 | 275 |
| Rosanky | Smithville, Plum, Paige | Smithville | Mar 12 | Nov 19 | 251 |
| Rosenberg | Kendleton | Thompsons 3 Wsw | Feb 15 | Dec 6 | 297 |
| Round Rock | Santa Rita Ranch, Weir | Georgetown Lake | Mar 6 | Nov 24 | 259 |
| Round Rock | Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Lago Vista, Brushy Creek, Wells Branch | Austin Great Hills | Mar 11 | Nov 20 | 254 |
| San Antonio | Schertz, St. Hedwig, Garden Ridge | Randolph Afb | Feb 21 | Dec 5 | 289 |
| San Antonio | St. Hedwig, Elmendorf, China Grove, Sandy Oaks, Somerset | San Antonio Stinson Ap | Feb 20 | Dec 3 | 291 |
| San Antonio | Converse | San Antonio Incarnate Word | Feb 25 | Nov 28 | 277 |
| San Antonio | Timberwood Park, Shavano Park, Hollywood Park | San Antonio Intl Ap | Feb 26 | Nov 28 | 277 |
| San Antonio | Macdona | San Antonio Kelly Afb | Feb 22 | Dec 2 | 284 |
| San Antonio | Lakehills, Helotes, Castroville, Macdona | San Antonio/seaworld | Feb 18 | Dec 9 | 296 |
| San Marcos | Uhland, Martindale, Staples | San Marcos | Feb 28 | Nov 29 | 273 |
| Schulenburg | Shiner, Flatonia, Waelder, Moulton | Flatonia 4se | Mar 2 | Nov 27 | 271 |
| Sheridan | Hallettsville, Schulenburg | Hallettsville 2 N | Feb 17 | Dec 4 | 297 |
| Somerset | Poteet | Poteet | Feb 22 | Dec 1 | 281 |
| South Toledo Bend | — | Toledo Bend Dam | Mar 9 | Nov 18 | 253 |
| Spofford | Quemado | Eagle Pass 3n | Feb 19 | Dec 1 | 287 |
| Stockdale | Nixon, Runge, Smiley | Nixon | Mar 7 | Nov 22 | 260 |
| Study Butte | — | Lajitas | Mar 2 | Nov 24 | 267 |
| Taylor | Hutto | Taylor 1nw | Mar 8 | Nov 21 | 257 |
| Temple | Little River-Academy | Stillhouse Hollow Dam | Mar 14 | Nov 20 | 251 |
| Tilden | — | Tilden 4 Sse | Feb 13 | Dec 3 | 299 |
| Tomball | Waller, Jersey, Stagecoach | Houston Hooks Mem Ap | Feb 19 | Dec 3 | 290 |
| Uvalde | — | Camp Wood | Mar 12 | Nov 14 | 248 |
| Uvalde Estates | Brackettville | Brackettville | Mar 5 | Nov 24 | 264 |
| Victoria | Edna, Quail Creek | Victoria Rgnl Ap | Feb 18 | Dec 4 | 291 |
| Warren | Ivanhoe, Woodville, Kirbyville, Colmesneil | Town Bluff Dam | Mar 9 | Nov 22 | 258 |
| Wildwood | Warren, Big Thicket Lake Estates | Wildwood | Mar 6 | Nov 21 | 261 |
| Willis | Splendora, Cut and Shoot, Grangerland, Deerwood | Conroe Montgomery Co Ap | Mar 11 | Nov 19 | 253 |
| Woodbranch | — | Houston Intercont Ap | Feb 13 | Dec 9 | 300 |
| Yoakum | — | Yoakum | Mar 2 | Nov 30 | 276 |
* Deweyville is this group's median-season location — the calendar below is computed from its data.
Data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (public domain) and USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023. Planting windows synthesized from U.S. Cooperative Extension guides.
Planting calendar (Deweyville, representative)
Computed from Deweyville's average frost dates — the median-season location in this Texaszone 9a group. hatched = start seeds indoors, solid green = plant out, teal = a fall sowing, and the terracotta dot marks the estimated first harvest. Ranges are extension-guide planning guidance, not guarantees — your own location's dates may run a week or two earlier or later (see the table above).
- Start indoors
- Plant out
- Fall sowing
- First harvest
| Crop | Frost tolerance | Start indoors | Plant out | First harvest | Fall planting | Season fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Tender | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | May 6 – May 26 | — | matures comfortably |
| Pepper | Very tender | Jan 1 – Jan 3 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | May 13 – Jun 12 | — | matures comfortably |
| Cucumber | Tender | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 26 – May 16 | — | matures comfortably |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Tender | — | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 21 – May 6 | — | matures comfortably |
| Bush bean | Tender | — | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 26 – May 6 | Sep 24 – Oct 4 | matures comfortably |
| Sweet corn | Tender | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 29 – May 29 | — | matures comfortably |
| Basil | Very tender | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 6 – Apr 21 | — | matures comfortably |
| Lettuce | Half-hardy | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 17 – Apr 1 | Sep 10 – Sep 25 | matures comfortably |
| Pea | Hardy | — | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 13 – Mar 28 | Aug 31 – Sep 15 | matures comfortably |
| Spinach | Hardy | — | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 26 – Mar 8 | Sep 20 – Sep 30 | matures comfortably |
| Carrot | Half-hardy | — | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Apr 8 – Apr 28 | Aug 21 – Sep 10 | matures comfortably |
| Broccoli | Half-hardy | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 27 – Apr 16 | Aug 26 – Sep 15 | matures comfortably |
Which crops fit this growing season
Using Deweyville's own 273-day growing season (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020 median) against each crop's real days-to-maturity range: 12 of 12 crops mature here with comfortable margin. A different location in the table above with a longer or shorter season will get a different mix — the ZIP planner on the home page gives your own.
Frost & freeze dates (Deweyville)
From NOAA's 1991–2020 Climate Normals at station USC00416680. The median (p50) is the average date; the 90%-safe column is the date the freeze has passed in about 9 years out of 10 — the conservative date to plant after or harvest before.
| Threshold | Last spring — avg | Last spring — 90%-safe | First fall — avg | First fall — 90%-safe | Season (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 16 | Apr 13 | Nov 12 | Dec 2 | 242 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 28 | Mar 29 | Nov 23 | Dec 24 | 273 |
| 28°F | Feb 3 | Mar 9 | Dec 12 | Jan 16 | 313 |
| 24°F | Jan 23 | Feb 20 | Jan 2 | Feb 2 | 351 |
Growing degree days
Growing degree days (GDD) accumulate warmth above a base temperature over the year — a better predictor of crop development than the calendar alone. This group's median GDD (base 50°F) across all 95 locations is 7,171; Deweyville's own reading is shown below.
| Model | °F·days | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Base 50°F (warm-season) | 6,448 | standard warm-season base (tomato, corn, beans) |
| Base 40°F (cool-season) | 9,836 | cool-season crops (brassicas, greens) |
Hardiness zone 9a in Texas
Zone 9a means an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of about 20 to 25 °F on the USDA's 2023 map — the number that tells you which perennials, shrubs, and trees reliably survive an average winter here. It does not set your planting dates, which come from the frost calendar above. Texas spans 9 hardiness zones in this dataset — see all Texas locations for the full range, including zones6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b.
Explore zone 9a in other states at zone 9a, or see all USDA hardiness zones.
Frequently asked questions
- What does USDA hardiness zone 9a mean in Texas?
- Zone 9a means an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of 20 to 25 °F — the standard USDA measure of which perennials survive winter. 95 locations in Texas fall in this zone. It does not set planting dates; see the frost calendar below for that.
- Where in Texas's zone 9a is the growing season longest?
- Katy runs the longest season on this page at about 318 days; Bremond is shortest at about 234 days — they share the same hardiness zone, but they sit at different weather stations, so their frost calendars differ.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Texas's zone 9a?
- Using Deweyville's frost dates (this page's median-season location): start seeds indoors about Jan 3 – Jan 17, then transplant outside about Mar 7 – Mar 14. Your own location in the table above may differ by a week or two — use the ZIP planner on the home page for your exact station's dates.
- Does every location in Texas's zone 9a have the same frost dates?
- No — they do not all share a weather station, so frost dates vary by a week or more across the 95 locations listed (see the table above for each location's own dates).
Sources & method
Frost, freeze, growing-season, and growing-degree-day figures are NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, one reading per location's own nearest station (see the table above). The hardiness zone is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023, matched to each location's ZIP. Planting windows are computed by counting from the average last and first frost using per-crop offsets synthesized from U.S. Cooperative Extension guides — the full method and citations are on the methodology page.