Melissa, TX frost dates
Last spring frostMar 17median date
First fall frostNov 15median date
Growing season243 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Melissa compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Melissa falls between February 27 and April 5, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 27 and December 5.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 243-day growing season is longer than 45% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8b, where the median is Mar 16.
- The weather station records an average of 45 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Melissa shares its weather station with Mckinney, TX, 10 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 27 |
| 50% (median) | March 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 27 |
| 50% (median) | November 15 |
| 90% (late) | December 5 |
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 Melissa, TX
Melissa, TX frost dates — last frost Mar 17, first frost Nov 15, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Dec 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Melissa, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 17 – Mar 24 | Sep 20 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Broccoli | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Okra | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Basil | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 3 – Feb 24 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 3 – Feb 24 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 24 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 24 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 24 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| 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 Mckinney Municipal Airport, TX weather station, 11 km away (elevation 587 ft (179 m)).
Frost dates near Melissa
- Anna Mar 17 · Nov 15
- Mckinney Mar 17 · Nov 15
- Weston Mar 17 · Nov 15
- Westminster Mar 17 · Nov 15
- Princeton Mar 18 · Nov 11
- Van Alstyne Mar 17 · Nov 15
- Blue Ridge Mar 17 · Nov 15
- Celina Mar 17 · Nov 15
- Prosper Mar 17 · Nov 15
- Allen Mar 18 · Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Melissa, TX?
The median last spring frost in Melissa, TX is March 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Melissa, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 27.
How long is the growing season in Melissa, TX?
About 243 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Melissa, TX?
Melissa, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.