Planting Calendar for Spring, TX

almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/zipcode/77379

For the Almanac's fall and spring planting calendars, we've calculated the best time to start
seeds indoors, when to transplant young plants outside, and when to direct seed into the
ground.

Planting Dates for Spring

Based on Frost Dates Based on Moon Dates

Start Seeds Plant Seedlings Start Seeds

Crop Indoors or Transplants Outdoors

Air Plants N/A N/A

Jan 12-26 Mar 9-30 N/A

Basil Jan 13-26 Mar 13-28

N/A N/A Feb 23-Mar 16

Beets Feb 28-Mar 12

Dec 29-Jan 12 Mar 16-30 N/A

Bell Peppers Dec 29 Mar 16-28

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 Based on Frost Dates Based on Moon Dates

Start Seeds Plant Seedlings Start Seeds

Crop Indoors or Transplants Outdoors

Jan 12-26 Feb 9-Mar 2 N/A

Broccoli Jan 13-26 Feb 11-27

Jan 12-26 Feb 9-23 N/A

Brussels Sprouts Jan 13-26 Feb 11-23

Jan 12-26 Feb 9-23 N/A

Cabbage Jan 13-26 Feb 11-23

Feb 9-16 Mar 23-Apr 6 N/A

Cantaloupes Feb 11-16 Mar 23-28

N/A N/A Feb 2-16

Carrots Feb 2-10

Jan 12-26 Feb 9-Mar 2 N/A

Cauliflower Jan 13-26 Feb 11-27

Dec 29-Jan 12 Mar 16-30 N/A

Celery Dec 29 Mar 16-28

N/A N/A Feb 9-16

Chives Feb 11-16

N/A N/A Mar 9-23

Cilantro (Coriander) Mar 13-23

N/A N/A Mar 9-23

Corn Mar 13-23

Feb 9-16 Mar 23-Apr 6 N/A

Cucumbers Feb 11-16 Mar 23-28

N/A N/A Feb 2-16

Dill Feb 11-16

Dec 29-Jan 12 Mar 23-Apr 6 N/A

Eggplants Dec 29 Mar 23-28

English Ivy N/A N/A

N/A N/A Mar 16-Apr 6

Green Beans Mar 16-28

Jan 12-26 Feb 9-Mar 2 N/A

Kale Jan 13-26 Feb 11-27

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 Based on Frost Dates Based on Moon Dates

Start Seeds Plant Seedlings Start Seeds

Crop Indoors or Transplants Outdoors

Jan 26-Feb 9 Feb 16-23 N/A

Kohlrabi Jan 26-28 Feb 16-23

Jan 26-Feb 9 Feb 23-Mar 23 N/A

Jan 26-28 Feb 23-27, Mar
Lettuce 13-23

N/A N/A Mar 23-Apr 6

Okra Mar 23-28

N/A N/A Feb 9-Mar 2

Feb 9-10, Feb 28-
Onions Mar 2

Dec 29-Jan 26 Mar 9-30 N/A

Oregano Dec 29, Jan 13-26 Mar 13-28

N/A N/A Feb 9-23

Parsley Feb 11-23

N/A N/A Feb 16-Mar 9

Parsnips Feb 28-Mar 9

N/A N/A Jan 26-Feb 16

Jan 26-28, Feb 11-
Peas 16

N/A N/A Mar 2-23

Potatoes Mar 2-12

Feb 16-Mar 2 Mar 23-Apr 6 N/A

Pumpkins Feb 16-27 Mar 23-28

N/A N/A Jan 12-Feb 2

Jan 12, Jan 29-Feb
Radishes 2

Dec 29-Jan 12 Mar 16-Apr 6 N/A

Rosemary Dec 29 Mar 16-28

Jan 12-26 Mar 9-23 N/A

Sage Jan 13-26 Mar 13-23

N/A N/A Jan 26-Feb 16

Jan 26-28, Feb 11-
Spinach 16

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 Based on Frost Dates Based on Moon Dates

Start Seeds Plant Seedlings Start Seeds

Crop Indoors or Transplants Outdoors

Summer Squash Feb 9-23 Mar 23-Apr 6 N/A

(Zucchini) Feb 11-23 Mar 23-28

Feb 9-16 Mar 23-Apr 6 N/A

Sweet Potatoes Feb 9-10 Mar 29-Apr 6

Jan 26-Feb 9 Feb 16-23 N/A

Swiss Chard Jan 26-28 Feb 16-23

Dec 29-Jan 26 Mar 9-30 N/A

Thyme Dec 29, Jan 13-26 Mar 13-28

Jan 12-26 Mar 16-Apr 6 N/A

Tomatoes Jan 13-26 Mar 16-28

N/A N/A Feb 9-Mar 2

Feb 9-10, Feb 28-
Turnips Mar 2

Feb 9-16 Mar 23-Apr 6 N/A

Watermelons Feb 11-16 Mar 23-28

On average, your last spring frost occurs on March 9 (at HOUSTON HOOKS MEM AP, TX
climate station).

Planting Dates for Fall

Based on Frost Dates

Start Seeds Plant Seedlings Start Seeds

Crop Indoors by... Outdoors by... Outdoors by...

Beets N/A N/A Oct 9

Bell Peppers Jun 10 Aug 5 N/A

Broccoli Aug 12 Sep 9 N/A

Brussels Sprouts Aug 2 Aug 30 N/A

Cabbage Aug 2 Aug 30 N/A

Cantaloupes N/A N/A Jul 26

Carrots N/A N/A Oct 4

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 Based on Frost Dates

Start Seeds Plant Seedlings Start Seeds

Crop Indoors by... Outdoors by... Outdoors by...

Cauliflower Aug 12 Sep 9 N/A

Celery Jun 1 Aug 10 N/A

Corn N/A N/A Aug 15

Cucumbers N/A N/A Aug 20

Eggplants Jun 10 Aug 5 N/A

Green Beans N/A N/A Aug 20

Kale Sep 1 Sep 29 N/A

Kohlrabi N/A N/A Oct 4

Lettuce N/A N/A Oct 14

Okra N/A N/A Aug 15

Parsnips N/A N/A Aug 20

Peas N/A N/A Sep 19

Potatoes N/A N/A Sep 9

Pumpkins N/A N/A Jul 6

Radishes N/A N/A Oct 19

Spinach N/A N/A Oct 29

Summer Squash N/A N/A Aug 25

(Zucchini)

Swiss Chard N/A N/A Oct 14

Tomatoes Jun 15 Aug 10 N/A

Turnips N/A N/A Oct 14

Watermelons N/A N/A Jul 26

On average, your first fall frost occurs on November 23 (at HOUSTON HOOKS MEM AP, TX
climate station).

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How to Use the Planting Calendar
This planting calendar is a guide that tells you the best time to start planting your garden,
based on frost dates. Our planting calendar is customized to your location in order to give
you the most accurate information possible. Please note:

The Frost Dates indicate the best planting dates based on your local average frost
dates. Average frost dates are based on historical weather data and are the planting
guideline used by most gardeners. Although frost dates are a good way to know
approximately when to start gardening, always check a local forecast before planting
outdoors!
The Plant Seedlings or Transplants dates indicate the best time to plant young
plants outdoors. This includes plants grown from seed indoors at home and small
starter plants bought from a nursery.
When no dates ("N/A") appear in the chart, that starting method is typically not
recommended for that particular plant, although it likely still possible. See each plant's
individual Growing Guide for more specific information.
The Moon Dates indicate the best planting dates based on your local frost dates and
Moon phases. Planting by the Moon is considered a more traditional technique. We use
Moon-favorable dates at the very start of the gardening season. It's a little complex for a
fall planting.

To plan your garden more accurately in the future, keep a record of your garden's conditions
each year, including frost dates and seed-starting dates!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Do You Start Seeds Indoors?

In the spring, starting seeds indoors (in seed trays or starter pots) gives your crops a head
start on the growing season, which is especially important in regions with a short growing
season. Starting seeds indoors also provides plants with a chance to grow in a stable,
controlled environment. Outdoors, the unpredictability of rain, drought, frost, low and high
temperatures, sunlight, and pests and diseases can take a toll on young plants, especially
when they're just getting started. Indoors, you can control these elements to maximize your
plants' early growth and give them the best shot at thriving when they are eventually
transplanted outdoors.

For most crops, you should start seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost
date. This gives the plants plenty of time to grow large and healthy enough to survive their
eventual transplanting to the garden.

Read more about starting seeds indoors here.

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How Is Planting for a Fall Harvest Different?
Planting in late summer for a fall harvest has many benefits (soil is already warm,
temperatures are cooler, fewer pests). However, the challenge is getting your crops harvested
before the winter frosts begin. When we calculate fall planting dates (which are really in the
summer), we must account for several factors, such as the time to harvest once the crop is
mature and whether a crop is tender or hardy when it comes to frost. The "days to maturity"
of a crop and the length of your growing season also factor into whether you start seeds early
indoors or directly sow seeds into the ground outside. Note:

Warm-weather veggies like beans, corn, squashes, pumpkins, cucumbers, cantaloupe,

and watermelons are all sown directly into the ground.
Tender heat-loving plants such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants take a long time to
mature and have a lengthy harvesting period, so we generally don't plant a second
round of these crops for fall, as they won't ripen in time. (In regions with mild winters,
this may not be the case.) These crops are typically started indoors early in the season
and transplanted.
Root vegetables (beets, carrots) do not transplant well, so start seeds directly in the soil
outside.
Peas are also best seeded into the ground; do not transplant.
Cole crops like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage could be direct seeded, but
because of the heat of mid- and late summer, it's better to start them indoors and
then transplant them into the garden.
We tend to direct-sow leafy greens such as lettuce, chard, and spinach, though some
gardeners will also sow indoors. It depends on your climate.
Note that garlic is not included in our planting chart. It's a popular fall crop, but the
dates vary wildly based on location and it's really best to gauge garlic planting dates
with a soil thermometer. When the soil temperature is 60°F (15.6°C) at a depth of 4
inches, then plant your garlic. We'd advise checking our Garlic Growing Guide for more
information.

Read more about the "Best Vegetables to Plant in the Fall."

When Should You Transplant Seedlings?

When seedlings have grown too large for their seed trays or starter pots, it's time to
transplant. If it's not yet warm enough to plant outdoors, transplant the seedlings to larger
plastic or peat pots indoors and continue care. If outdoor conditions allow, start hardening
off your seedlings approximately one week before your last frost date, then transplant
them into the garden. Get more tips for transplanting seedlings.

What Is Planting by the Moon?

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Planting by the Moon (also called "Gardening by the Moon") is a traditional way to plant your
above- and below-ground crops, especially at the start of the season. Here's how it works:

Plant annual flowers and vegetables that bear crops above ground during the light, or
waxing, of the Moon. In other words, plant from the day the Moon is new until the day
it is full.
Plant flowering bulbs, biennial and perennial flowers, and vegetables that bear crops
below ground during the dark, or waning, of the Moon. In other words, plant from the
day after the Moon is full until the day before it is new again.

Old-time farmers swear that this practice results in a larger, tastier harvest, so we've included
planting by the Moon dates in our planting calendar, too. Learn more about Planting and
Gardening by the Moon.

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