Texas, US

Planting calendar for Houston

Last frost around February 11, first frost around November 30: about 292 frost-free days.

Last frost: February 11
First frost: November 30
Frost-free days: 292

Sow now: November

See the whole year

Outdoors

Carrot
Beet
Parsnip
Radish
Potato
Turnip
Lettuce
Spinach
Swiss chard
Arugula
Celery
Pea
16 more in the year table

The year at a glance

When each crop can be sown in Houston. Tap a crop for exact dates and when it’s ready to harvest.

Sow outdoorsSow under cover (indoors, a greenhouse or a cold frame)

When to sow each crop in Houston, month by month. Each month says whether you can sow outdoors, under cover, or both.
Crop	JJan	FFeb	MMar	AApr	MMay	JJun	JJul	AAug	SSep	OOct	NNov	DDec
Fruiting
Tomato	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Chile pepper	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Bell pepper	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Eggplant	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Zucchini	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow under cover	December: Not this month
Cucumber	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Winter squash	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Sweet corn	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Roots
Carrot	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Beet	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Parsnip	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Radish	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Sow under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Potato	January: Plant outdoors and under cover	February: Plant outdoors and under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Plant under cover	September: Plant outdoors and under cover	October: Plant outdoors and under cover	November: Plant outdoors and under cover	December: Plant outdoors and under cover
Turnip	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Sow under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Leaves
Lettuce	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Sow under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Spinach	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Sow under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Swiss chard	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Arugula	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Sow under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Celery	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Sow under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Beans and peas
Runner bean	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Green bean	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow under cover	December: Not this month
Fava beanWinters too mild here	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Pea	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Sow under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Onion family
Onion	January: Plant outdoors and under cover	February: Plant outdoors and under cover	March: Plant under cover	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Plant under cover	August: Plant outdoors and under cover	September: Plant outdoors and under cover	October: Plant outdoors and under cover	November: Plant outdoors and under cover	December: Plant outdoors and under cover
Garlic	January: Plant outdoors and under cover	February: Plant under cover	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Plant under cover	November: Plant outdoors and under cover	December: Plant outdoors and under cover
Leek	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Scallion	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Shallot	January: Plant outdoors and under cover	February: Plant outdoors and under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Plant under cover	August: Plant outdoors and under cover	September: Plant outdoors and under cover	October: Plant outdoors and under cover	November: Plant outdoors and under cover	December: Plant outdoors and under cover
Brassicas
Cabbage	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Sow under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Broccoli	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Sow under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Cauliflower	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Sow under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Brussels sprout	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Sow under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Kale	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Bok choy	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Sow under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Herbs
Basil	January: Sow under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow under cover	December: Not this month
Parsley	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Cilantro	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Sow under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Chives	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Mint	January: Sow outdoors and under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow outdoors and under cover
Fruit
Strawberry	January: Plant outdoors and under cover	February: Plant outdoors and under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant under cover	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Plant under cover	August: Plant outdoors and under cover	September: Plant outdoors and under cover	October: Plant outdoors and under cover	November: Plant outdoors and under cover	December: Plant outdoors and under cover
RaspberryWinters too mild here	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
RhubarbWinters too mild here	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month

Fruit rows show when to plant, not sow.

Crop by crop

Fruiting

TomatoOutdoors Mar 18 to Apr 12, and Jul 31 to Sep 24; Under cover Feb 18 to May 10, and Jul 3 to Oct 22

Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 12, and Jul 31 to Sep 24
Under cover: Feb 18 to May 10, and Jul 3 to Oct 22
First harvest: About 66 days after sowing. Sown on March 18, ready around May 23.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 54°F or more, and no frost.

Tomato across the US, town by town

Chile pepperOutdoors Mar 17 to Apr 12, and Jul 31 to Sep 23; Under cover Feb 17 to May 10, and Jul 3 to Oct 21

Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 12, and Jul 31 to Sep 23
Under cover: Feb 17 to May 10, and Jul 3 to Oct 21
First harvest: About 84 days after sowing. Sown on March 17, ready around June 9.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 54°F or more, and no frost.

Chile pepper across the US, town by town

Bell pepperOutdoors Mar 22 to Apr 17, and Jul 31 to Sep 25; Under cover Feb 22 to May 15, and Jul 3 to Oct 23

Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 17, and Jul 31 to Sep 25
Under cover: Feb 22 to May 15, and Jul 3 to Oct 23
First harvest: About 78 days after sowing. Sown on March 22, ready around June 8.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 54°F or more, and no frost.

Bell pepper across the US, town by town

EggplantOutdoors Mar 22 to Apr 12, and Jul 31 to Sep 23; Under cover Feb 22 to May 10, and Jul 3 to Oct 21

Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12, and Jul 31 to Sep 23
Under cover: Feb 22 to May 10, and Jul 3 to Oct 21
First harvest: About 90 days after sowing. Sown on March 22, ready around June 20.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 54°F or more, and no frost.

Eggplant across the US, town by town

ZucchiniOutdoors Mar 17 to Apr 27, and Jul 31 to Oct 12; Under cover Feb 17 to May 25, and Jul 3 to Nov 9

Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 27, and Jul 31 to Oct 12
Under cover: Feb 17 to May 25, and Jul 3 to Nov 9
First harvest: About 36 days after sowing. Sown on March 17, ready around April 22.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 54°F or more, and no frost.

Zucchini across the US, town by town

CucumberOutdoors Mar 17 to Apr 27, and Jul 31 to Oct 7; Under cover Feb 17 to May 25, and Jul 3 to Nov 4

Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 27, and Jul 31 to Oct 7
Under cover: Feb 17 to May 25, and Jul 3 to Nov 4
First harvest: About 42 days after sowing. Sown on March 17, ready around April 28.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 54°F or more, and no frost.

Cucumber across the US, town by town

Winter squashOutdoors Mar 17 to Apr 17, and Jul 31 to Sep 25; Under cover Feb 17 to May 15, and Jul 3 to Oct 23

Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 17, and Jul 31 to Sep 25
Under cover: Feb 17 to May 15, and Jul 3 to Oct 23
First harvest: About 66 days after sowing. Sown on March 17, ready around May 22.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 54°F or more, and no frost.

Winter squash across the US, town by town

Sweet cornOutdoors Mar 12 to Apr 17, and Jul 31 to Sep 27; Under cover Feb 12 to May 15, and Jul 3 to Oct 25

Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 17, and Jul 31 to Sep 27
Under cover: Feb 12 to May 15, and Jul 3 to Oct 25
First harvest: About 60 days after sowing. Sown on March 12, ready around May 11.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 52°F or more, and no frost.

Sweet corn across the US, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors Aug 20 to Apr 23; Under cover Jul 23 to May 21

Sow outdoors: Aug 20 to Apr 23
Under cover: Jul 23 to May 21
First harvest: About 60 days after sowing. Sown on August 20, ready around October 19.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 45°F.

Carrot across the US, town by town

BeetOutdoors Aug 10 to Apr 28; Under cover Jul 13 to May 26

Sow outdoors: Aug 10 to Apr 28
Under cover: Jul 13 to May 26
First harvest: About 42 days after sowing. Sown on August 10, ready around September 21.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 45°F.

Beet across the US, town by town

ParsnipOutdoors Aug 20 to Mar 31; Under cover Jul 23 to Apr 28

Sow outdoors: Aug 20 to Mar 31
Under cover: Jul 23 to Apr 28
First harvest: About 78 days after sowing. Sown on August 20, ready around November 6.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.

Parsnip across the US, town by town

RadishOutdoors Sep 19 to Mar 28; Under cover Aug 22 to Apr 25

Sow outdoors: Sep 19 to Mar 28
Under cover: Aug 22 to Apr 25
First harvest: About 17 days after sowing. Sown on September 19, ready around October 6.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F; bolts in hot weather.

Radish across the US, town by town

PotatoOutdoors Aug 29 to Mar 10; Under cover Aug 1 to Apr 7

Plant outdoors: Aug 29 to Mar 10
Under cover: Aug 1 to Apr 7
First harvest: About 60 days after planting. Planted on August 29, ready around October 28.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.

Potato across the US, town by town

TurnipOutdoors Sep 12 to Apr 6; Under cover Aug 15 to May 4

Sow outdoors: Sep 12 to Apr 6
Under cover: Aug 15 to May 4
First harvest: About 36 days after sowing. Sown on September 12, ready around October 18.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.

Turnip across the US, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors Sep 25 to Mar 20; Under cover Aug 28 to Apr 17

Sow outdoors: Sep 25 to Mar 20
Under cover: Aug 28 to Apr 17
First harvest: About 42 days after sowing. Sown on September 25, ready around November 6.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F; bolts in hot weather.

Lettuce across the US, town by town

SpinachOutdoors Sep 25 to Mar 20; Under cover Aug 28 to Apr 17

Sow outdoors: Sep 25 to Mar 20
Under cover: Aug 28 to Apr 17
First harvest: About 27 days after sowing. Sown on September 25, ready around October 22.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F; bolts in hot weather.

Spinach across the US, town by town

Swiss chardOutdoors Jul 27 to Jun 4; Under cover all year

Sow outdoors: Jul 27 to Jun 4
Under cover: all year
First harvest: About 36 days after sowing. Sown on July 27, ready around September 1.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 45°F.

Swiss chard across the US, town by town

ArugulaOutdoors Sep 25 to Mar 20; Under cover Aug 28 to Apr 17

Sow outdoors: Sep 25 to Mar 20
Under cover: Aug 28 to Apr 17
First harvest: About 24 days after sowing. Sown on September 25, ready around October 19.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F; bolts in hot weather.

Arugula across the US, town by town

CeleryOutdoors Aug 29 to Mar 14; Under cover Aug 1 to Apr 11

Sow outdoors: Aug 29 to Mar 14
Under cover: Aug 1 to Apr 11
First harvest: About 78 days after sowing. Sown on August 29, ready around November 15.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 41°F.

Celery across the US, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors Mar 12 to Apr 27, and Aug 10 to Oct 1; Under cover Feb 12 to May 25, and Jul 13 to Oct 29

Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 27, and Aug 10 to Oct 1
Under cover: Feb 12 to May 25, and Jul 13 to Oct 29
First harvest: About 54 days after sowing. Sown on March 12, ready around May 5.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 52°F or more, and no frost.

Runner bean across the US, town by town

Green beanOutdoors Mar 12 to May 12, and Jul 31 to Oct 10; Under cover Feb 12 to Jun 9, and Jul 3 to Nov 7

Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to May 12, and Jul 31 to Oct 10
Under cover: Feb 12 to Jun 9, and Jul 3 to Nov 7
First harvest: About 42 days after sowing. Sown on March 12, ready around April 23.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 52°F or more, and no frost.

Green bean across the US, town by town

Fava beanNot here: winters too mild here

Sow outdoors: Not here: winters too mild here
Under cover: No
First harvest: Not grown here.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Fava bean across the US, town by town

PeaOutdoors Sep 19 to Mar 28; Under cover Aug 22 to Apr 25

Sow outdoors: Sep 19 to Mar 28
Under cover: Aug 22 to Apr 25
First harvest: About 48 days after sowing. Sown on September 19, ready around November 6.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F; bolts in hot weather.

Pea across the US, town by town

Onion family

OnionOutdoors Aug 20 to Mar 5; Under cover Jul 23 to Apr 2

Plant outdoors: Aug 20 to Mar 5
Under cover: Jul 23 to Apr 2
First harvest: About 84 days after planting. Planted on August 20, ready around November 12.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.

Onion across the US, town by town

GarlicOutdoors Nov 21 to Jan 12; Under cover Oct 24 to Feb 9

Plant outdoors: Nov 21 to Jan 12
Under cover: Oct 24 to Feb 9
First harvest: About 250 days after planting. Planted on November 21, ready around July 29.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Garlic across the US, town by town

LeekOutdoors Aug 10 to Apr 30; Under cover Jul 13 to May 28

Sow outdoors: Aug 10 to Apr 30
Under cover: Jul 13 to May 28
First harvest: About 90 days after sowing. Sown on August 10, ready around November 8.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.

Leek across the US, town by town

ScallionOutdoors Jul 27 to Jun 4; Under cover all year

Sow outdoors: Jul 27 to Jun 4
Under cover: all year
First harvest: About 42 days after sowing. Sown on July 27, ready around September 7.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 41°F.

Scallion across the US, town by town

ShallotOutdoors Aug 20 to Mar 28; Under cover Jul 23 to Apr 25

Plant outdoors: Aug 20 to Mar 28
Under cover: Jul 23 to Apr 25
First harvest: About 78 days after planting. Planted on August 20, ready around November 6.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 41°F.

Shallot across the US, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors Aug 29 to Apr 25; Under cover Aug 1 to May 23

Sow outdoors: Aug 29 to Apr 25
Under cover: Aug 1 to May 23
First harvest: About 66 days after sowing. Sown on August 29, ready around November 3.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.

Cabbage across the US, town by town

BroccoliOutdoors Aug 29 to Apr 13; Under cover Aug 1 to May 11

Sow outdoors: Aug 29 to Apr 13
Under cover: Aug 1 to May 11
First harvest: About 54 days after sowing. Sown on August 29, ready around October 22.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 45°F.

Broccoli across the US, town by town

CauliflowerOutdoors Sep 19 to Mar 28; Under cover Aug 22 to Apr 25

Sow outdoors: Sep 19 to Mar 28
Under cover: Aug 22 to Apr 25
First harvest: About 72 days after sowing. Sown on September 19, ready around November 30.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F; bolts in hot weather.

Cauliflower across the US, town by town

Brussels sproutOutdoors Aug 29 to Mar 15; Under cover Aug 1 to Apr 12

Sow outdoors: Aug 29 to Mar 15
Under cover: Aug 1 to Apr 12
First harvest: About 108 days after sowing. Sown on August 29, ready around December 15.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.

Brussels sprout across the US, town by town

KaleOutdoors Aug 20 to Apr 28; Under cover Jul 23 to May 26

Sow outdoors: Aug 20 to Apr 28
Under cover: Jul 23 to May 26
First harvest: About 48 days after sowing. Sown on August 20, ready around October 7.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 45°F.

Kale across the US, town by town

Bok choyOutdoors Sep 25 to Mar 20; Under cover Aug 28 to Apr 17

Sow outdoors: Sep 25 to Mar 20
Under cover: Aug 28 to Apr 17
First harvest: About 27 days after sowing. Sown on September 25, ready around October 22.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 46°F; bolts in hot weather.

Bok choy across the US, town by town

Herbs

BasilOutdoors Feb 11 to May 13, and Jul 31 to Oct 13; Under cover Jan 14 to Jun 10, and Jul 3 to Nov 10

Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to May 13, and Jul 31 to Oct 13
Under cover: Jan 14 to Jun 10, and Jul 3 to Nov 10
First harvest: About 54 days after sowing. Sown on February 11, ready around April 6.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 46°F or more, and no frost.

Basil across the US, town by town

ParsleyOutdoors Aug 10 to May 18; Under cover Jul 13 to Jun 15

Sow outdoors: Aug 10 to May 18
Under cover: Jul 13 to Jun 15
First harvest: About 45 days after sowing. Sown on August 10, ready around September 24.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.

Parsley across the US, town by town

CilantroOutdoors Sep 25 to Mar 20; Under cover Aug 28 to Apr 17

Sow outdoors: Sep 25 to Mar 20
Under cover: Aug 28 to Apr 17
First harvest: About 30 days after sowing. Sown on September 25, ready around October 25.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 45°F; bolts in hot weather.

Cilantro across the US, town by town

ChivesOutdoors Jul 31 to Mar 31; Under cover Jul 3 to Apr 28

Sow outdoors: Jul 31 to Mar 31
Under cover: Jul 3 to Apr 28
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.

Chives across the US, town by town

MintOutdoors all year

Sow outdoors: all year
Under cover: all year
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 45°F.

Mint across the US, town by town

Fruit

StrawberryOutdoors Jul 31 to Mar 15; Under cover Jul 3 to Apr 12

Plant outdoors: Jul 31 to Mar 15
Under cover: Jul 3 to Apr 12
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.

Strawberry across the US, town by town

RaspberryNot here: winters too mild here

Plant outdoors: Not here: winters too mild here
Under cover: No
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Raspberry across the US, town by town

RhubarbNot here: winters too mild here

Plant outdoors: Not here: winters too mild here
Under cover: No
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Rhubarb across the US, town by town

Nearby

Also covers

Pasadena, and nearby villages. Dates are within a few days across the area.

Questions about growing in Houston

When is the last frost in Houston?

On average around February 11, and the first autumn frost comes around November 30. In a cold spring a frost can come a week or two late, so tender plants are safest out a week after the date.

Can I grow tomatoes outdoors in Houston?

Yes. Plant them outdoors Mar 18 to Apr 12, and Jul 31 to Sep 24, or under cover Feb 18 to May 10, and Jul 3 to Oct 22.

What can I sow in Houston in November?

Outdoors: carrot, beet, parsnip, radish, potato, turnip, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, celery, pea, onion, garlic, leek, scallion, shallot, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprout, kale, bok choy, parsley, cilantro, chives, mint, strawberry. Under cover: zucchini, green bean, basil.

How accurate are these dates?

They’re worked out from 30 years of climate data for this spot, adjusted for its height, so they’re a good guide for a typical year. Check the forecast before planting out anything tender.

Get these dates as reminders

Bia turns this calendar into a nudge when it’s time to sow, plant out and harvest, for your backyard or community garden plot in Houston. Free for 2 months.

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How these dates are worked out: climate records for this spot (ERA5-Land, 1995 to 2024), the local frost dates and the height above sea level turn a seed-packet date into a local one. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; towns from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). How sowing dates work