May, TX frost dates
Last spring frostMar 26median date
First fall frostNov 10median date
Growing season229 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How May compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in May falls between March 3 and April 14, a 42-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 29 and November 28.
- The median last frost is 11 days later than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 229-day growing season is longer than 25% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 57 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Abilene, TX, 91 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 6 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 3 |
| 50% (median) | March 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 29 |
| 50% (median) | November 10 |
| 90% (late) | November 28 |
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 May, TX
May, TX frost dates — last frost Mar 26, first frost Nov 10, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Plant for fall: Oct 27 to Dec 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in May, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Feb 26 – Apr 2 | Sep 15 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Okra | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Basil | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 19 – Apr 2 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 27 – Dec 1 |
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 Rising Star 1s, TX weather station, 14 km away (elevation 1,634 ft (498 m)).
Frost dates near May
- Sidney Mar 26 · Nov 10
- Rising Star Mar 26 · Nov 10
- Brownwood Mar 22 · Nov 10
- Early Mar 22 · Nov 10
- Blanket Mar 22 · Nov 10
- Burkett Mar 14 · Nov 20
- Bangs Mar 22 · Nov 10
- Cross Plains Mar 26 · Nov 10
- Comanche Mar 12 · Nov 18
- Zephyr Mar 22 · Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in May, TX?
The median last spring frost in May, TX is March 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in May, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 29.
How long is the growing season in May, TX?
About 229 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is May, TX?
May, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.