Chester, TX frost dates
Last spring frostMar 11median date
First fall frostNov 15median date
Growing season249 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Chester compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Chester falls between February 17 and April 4, a 46-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 30 and December 4.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 249-day growing season is longer than 56% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is 8 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 28 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Beaumont, TX, 103 km away, the last frost here is 25 days later than there and the growing season is 44 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 17 |
| 50% (median) | March 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 30 |
| 50% (median) | November 15 |
| 90% (late) | December 4 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Chester, TX
Chester, TX frost dates — last frost Mar 11, first frost Nov 15, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Dec 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Chester, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 11 – Mar 18 | Sep 20 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Broccoli | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Okra | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Basil | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 28 – Feb 18 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 28 – Feb 18 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 18 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 1 – Dec 6 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Lufkin Angelina Co Ap, TX weather station, 38 km away (elevation 289 ft (88 m)).
Frost dates near Chester
- Colmesneil Mar 9 · Nov 22
- Doucette Mar 9 · Nov 22
- Camden Mar 1 · Nov 24
- Woodville Mar 9 · Nov 22
- Corrigan Mar 11 · Nov 15
- Zavalla Feb 24 · Dec 1
- Moscow Mar 1 · Nov 24
- Leggett Mar 1 · Nov 24
- Diboll Mar 11 · Nov 15
- Hillister Mar 6 · Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Chester, TX?
The median last spring frost in Chester, TX is March 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Chester, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 30.
How long is the growing season in Chester, TX?
About 249 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Chester, TX?
Chester, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.