Texas, US
Planting calendar for McAllen
Frost is rare here, so sowing goes by warmth: tender crops like tomatoes go outdoors Feb 12 to Mar 9, and Aug 5 to Dec 10.
- Frost
- Frost is rare here
Frost comes in fewer than half of years, so there’s no last or first frost date to work from. Dates below go by how warm it is instead. On a clear, still winter night a light frost can still happen, so cover tender plants then.
Sow now: November
See the whole yearOutdoors
Under cover
Nothing this month.
The year at a glance
When each crop can be sown in McAllen. Tap a crop for exact dates and when it’s ready to harvest.
Sow outdoorsSow under cover (indoors, a greenhouse or a cold frame)
| Crop | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruiting | ||||||||||||
 Tomato | January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Not this month | 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 |
 Chile pepper | January: Sow under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow outdoors and under cover | April: Not this month | 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 |
 Bell pepper | January: Sow 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 under cover |
 Eggplant | January: Sow 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 under cover |
 Zucchini | January: Sow 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 |
 Cucumber | January: Sow 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 |
 Winter squash | January: Sow 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 |
 Sweet corn | January: Sow 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 |
| Roots | ||||||||||||
 Carrot | 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 |
 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: 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 |
 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: 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 |
 Radish | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow under cover | April: Not this month | 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 |
 Potato | January: Plant outdoors and under cover | February: Plant outdoors and under cover | March: Plant outdoors and under cover | April: Not this month | 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 under cover | April: Not this month | 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 |
| Leaves | ||||||||||||
 Lettuce | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow under cover | April: Not this month | 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 under cover | April: Not this month | 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 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 |
 Arugula | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow under cover | April: Not this month | 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: Sow 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 |
 Green bean | January: Sow 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 |
 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 under cover | April: Not this month | 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 |
| 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: 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 |
 GarlicWinters 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 |
 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: 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 |
 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 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 |
 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: 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 |
| Brassicas | ||||||||||||
 Cabbage | 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 |
 Broccoli | 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 |
 Cauliflower | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow under cover | April: Not this month | 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 |
 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 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 |
 Bok choy | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow under cover | April: Not this month | 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 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 |
 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 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 |
 Cilantro | January: Sow outdoors and under cover | February: Sow outdoors and under cover | March: Sow under cover | April: Not this month | 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 Feb 12 to Mar 9, and Aug 5 to Dec 10; Under cover Jul 8 to Apr 6
- Sow outdoors
- Feb 12 to Mar 9, and Aug 5 to Dec 10
- Under cover
- Jul 8 to Apr 6
- First harvest
- About 66 days after sowing. Sown on February 12, ready around April 19.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 54°F or more, and no frost.
Chile pepperOutdoors Feb 10 to Mar 9, and Jul 28 to Dec 12; Under cover Jun 30 to Apr 6
- Sow outdoors
- Feb 10 to Mar 9, and Jul 28 to Dec 12
- Under cover
- Jun 30 to Apr 6
- First harvest
- About 84 days after sowing. Sown on February 10, ready around May 5.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 54°F or more, and no frost.
Bell pepperOutdoors Feb 17 to Mar 15, and Jul 28 to Dec 6; Under cover Jan 20 to Apr 12, and Jun 30 to Jan 3
- Sow outdoors
- Feb 17 to Mar 15, and Jul 28 to Dec 6
- Under cover
- Jan 20 to Apr 12, and Jun 30 to Jan 3
- First harvest
- About 78 days after sowing. Sown on February 17, ready around May 6.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 54°F or more, and no frost.
EggplantOutdoors Feb 17 to Mar 10, and Jul 28 to Dec 6; Under cover Jan 20 to Apr 7, and Jun 30 to Jan 3
- Sow outdoors
- Feb 17 to Mar 10, and Jul 28 to Dec 6
- Under cover
- Jan 20 to Apr 7, and Jun 30 to Jan 3
- First harvest
- About 90 days after sowing. Sown on February 17, ready around May 18.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 54°F or more, and no frost.
ZucchiniOutdoors Feb 10 to Mar 23, and Jul 28 to Dec 12; Under cover Jun 30 to Apr 20
- Sow outdoors
- Feb 10 to Mar 23, and Jul 28 to Dec 12
- Under cover
- Jun 30 to Apr 20
- First harvest
- About 36 days after sowing. Sown on February 10, ready around March 18.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 54°F or more, and no frost.
CucumberOutdoors Feb 10 to Mar 23, and Jul 28 to Dec 12; Under cover Jun 30 to Apr 20
- Sow outdoors
- Feb 10 to Mar 23, and Jul 28 to Dec 12
- Under cover
- Jun 30 to Apr 20
- First harvest
- About 42 days after sowing. Sown on February 10, ready around March 24.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 54°F or more, and no frost.
Winter squashOutdoors Feb 10 to Mar 13, and Jul 28 to Dec 12; Under cover Jun 30 to Apr 10
- Sow outdoors
- Feb 10 to Mar 13, and Jul 28 to Dec 12
- Under cover
- Jun 30 to Apr 10
- First harvest
- About 66 days after sowing. Sown on February 10, ready around April 17.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 54°F or more, and no frost.
Sweet cornOutdoors Feb 3 to Mar 13, and Jul 28 to Dec 19; Under cover Jun 30 to Apr 10
- Sow outdoors
- Feb 3 to Mar 13, and Jul 28 to Dec 19
- Under cover
- Jun 30 to Apr 10
- First harvest
- About 60 days after sowing. Sown on February 3, ready around April 4.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 52°F or more, and no frost.
Roots
CarrotOutdoors Sep 8 to Apr 2; Under cover Aug 11 to Apr 30
- Sow outdoors
- Sep 8 to Apr 2
- Under cover
- Aug 11 to Apr 30
- First harvest
- About 60 days after sowing. Sown on September 8, ready around November 7.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 45°F.
BeetOutdoors Aug 30 to Apr 15; Under cover Aug 2 to May 13
- Sow outdoors
- Aug 30 to Apr 15
- Under cover
- Aug 2 to May 13
- First harvest
- About 42 days after sowing. Sown on August 30, ready around October 11.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 45°F.
ParsnipOutdoors Sep 8 to Mar 28; Under cover Aug 11 to Apr 25
- Sow outdoors
- Sep 8 to Mar 28
- Under cover
- Aug 11 to Apr 25
- First harvest
- About 78 days after sowing. Sown on September 8, ready around November 25.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.
RadishOutdoors Oct 11 to Feb 22; Under cover Sep 13 to Mar 22
- Sow outdoors
- Oct 11 to Feb 22
- Under cover
- Sep 13 to Mar 22
- First harvest
- About 17 days after sowing. Sown on October 11, ready around October 28.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F; bolts in hot weather.
PotatoOutdoors Sep 17 to Mar 7; Under cover Aug 20 to Apr 4
- Plant outdoors
- Sep 17 to Mar 7
- Under cover
- Aug 20 to Apr 4
- First harvest
- About 60 days after planting. Planted on September 17, ready around November 16.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.
TurnipOutdoors Oct 3 to Mar 3; Under cover Sep 5 to Mar 31
- Sow outdoors
- Oct 3 to Mar 3
- Under cover
- Sep 5 to Mar 31
- First harvest
- About 36 days after sowing. Sown on October 3, ready around November 8.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.
Leaves
LettuceOutdoors Oct 19 to Feb 13; Under cover Sep 21 to Mar 13
- Sow outdoors
- Oct 19 to Feb 13
- Under cover
- Sep 21 to Mar 13
- First harvest
- About 42 days after sowing. Sown on October 19, ready around November 30.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F; bolts in hot weather.
SpinachOutdoors Oct 19 to Feb 13; Under cover Sep 21 to Mar 13
- Sow outdoors
- Oct 19 to Feb 13
- Under cover
- Sep 21 to Mar 13
- First harvest
- About 28 days after sowing. Sown on October 19, ready around November 16.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F; bolts in hot weather.
Swiss chardOutdoors Aug 19 to Apr 29; Under cover Jul 22 to May 27
- Sow outdoors
- Aug 19 to Apr 29
- Under cover
- Jul 22 to May 27
- First harvest
- About 36 days after sowing. Sown on August 19, ready around September 24.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 45°F.
ArugulaOutdoors Oct 19 to Feb 13; Under cover Sep 21 to Mar 13
- Sow outdoors
- Oct 19 to Feb 13
- Under cover
- Sep 21 to Mar 13
- First harvest
- About 25 days after sowing. Sown on October 19, ready around November 13.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F; bolts in hot weather.
CeleryOutdoors Sep 17 to Mar 11; Under cover Aug 20 to Apr 8
- Sow outdoors
- Sep 17 to Mar 11
- Under cover
- Aug 20 to Apr 8
- First harvest
- About 78 days after sowing. Sown on September 17, ready around December 4.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 41°F.
Beans and peas
Runner beanOutdoors Feb 3 to Mar 21, and Aug 30 to Dec 19; Under cover Aug 2 to Apr 18
- Sow outdoors
- Feb 3 to Mar 21, and Aug 30 to Dec 19
- Under cover
- Aug 2 to Apr 18
- First harvest
- About 54 days after sowing. Sown on February 3, ready around March 29.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 52°F or more, and no frost.
Green beanOutdoors Feb 3 to Apr 5, and Jul 28 to Dec 19; Under cover Jun 30 to May 3
- Sow outdoors
- Feb 3 to Apr 5, and Jul 28 to Dec 19
- Under cover
- Jun 30 to May 3
- First harvest
- About 42 days after sowing. Sown on February 3, ready around March 17.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 52°F or more, and no frost.
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.
PeaOutdoors Oct 11 to Feb 22; Under cover Sep 13 to Mar 22
- Sow outdoors
- Oct 11 to Feb 22
- Under cover
- Sep 13 to Mar 22
- First harvest
- About 48 days after sowing. Sown on October 11, ready around November 28.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F; bolts in hot weather.
Onion family
OnionOutdoors Sep 8 to Mar 2; Under cover Aug 11 to Mar 30
- Plant outdoors
- Sep 8 to Mar 2
- Under cover
- Aug 11 to Mar 30
- First harvest
- About 84 days after planting. Planted on September 8, ready around December 1.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.
GarlicNot here: winters too mild here
- Plant 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.
LeekOutdoors Aug 30 to Apr 15; Under cover Aug 2 to May 13
- Sow outdoors
- Aug 30 to Apr 15
- Under cover
- Aug 2 to May 13
- First harvest
- About 90 days after sowing. Sown on August 30, ready around November 28.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.
ScallionOutdoors Aug 19 to Apr 29; Under cover Jul 22 to May 27
- Sow outdoors
- Aug 19 to Apr 29
- Under cover
- Jul 22 to May 27
- First harvest
- About 42 days after sowing. Sown on August 19, ready around September 30.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 41°F.
ShallotOutdoors Sep 8 to Mar 25; Under cover Aug 11 to Apr 22
- Plant outdoors
- Sep 8 to Mar 25
- Under cover
- Aug 11 to Apr 22
- First harvest
- About 78 days after planting. Planted on September 8, ready around November 25.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 41°F.
Brassicas
CabbageOutdoors Sep 17 to Mar 23; Under cover Aug 20 to Apr 20
- Sow outdoors
- Sep 17 to Mar 23
- Under cover
- Aug 20 to Apr 20
- First harvest
- About 66 days after sowing. Sown on September 17, ready around November 22.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.
BroccoliOutdoors Sep 17 to Mar 23; Under cover Aug 20 to Apr 20
- Sow outdoors
- Sep 17 to Mar 23
- Under cover
- Aug 20 to Apr 20
- First harvest
- About 54 days after sowing. Sown on September 17, ready around November 10.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 45°F.
CauliflowerOutdoors Oct 11 to Feb 22; Under cover Sep 13 to Mar 22
- Sow outdoors
- Oct 11 to Feb 22
- Under cover
- Sep 13 to Mar 22
- First harvest
- About 72 days after sowing. Sown on October 11, ready around December 22.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F; bolts in hot weather.
Brussels sproutOutdoors Sep 17 to Mar 12; Under cover Aug 20 to Apr 9
- Sow outdoors
- Sep 17 to Mar 12
- Under cover
- Aug 20 to Apr 9
- First harvest
- About 108 days after sowing. Sown on September 17, ready around January 3.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.
KaleOutdoors Sep 8 to Apr 2; Under cover Aug 11 to Apr 30
- Sow outdoors
- Sep 8 to Apr 2
- Under cover
- Aug 11 to Apr 30
- First harvest
- About 48 days after sowing. Sown on September 8, ready around October 26.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 45°F.
Bok choyOutdoors Oct 19 to Feb 13; Under cover Sep 21 to Mar 13
- Sow outdoors
- Oct 19 to Feb 13
- Under cover
- Sep 21 to Mar 13
- First harvest
- About 28 days after sowing. Sown on October 19, ready around November 16.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 46°F; bolts in hot weather.
Herbs
BasilOutdoors Jul 28 to Apr 11; Under cover Jun 30 to May 9
- Sow outdoors
- Jul 28 to Apr 11
- Under cover
- Jun 30 to May 9
- First harvest
- About 36 days after sowing. Sown on July 28, ready around September 2.
- Warmth
- Tender: needs days averaging 46°F or more, and no frost.
ParsleyOutdoors Aug 30 to Apr 15; Under cover Aug 2 to May 13
- Sow outdoors
- Aug 30 to Apr 15
- Under cover
- Aug 2 to May 13
- First harvest
- About 45 days after sowing. Sown on August 30, ready around October 14.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.
CilantroOutdoors Oct 19 to Feb 13; Under cover Sep 21 to Mar 13
- Sow outdoors
- Oct 19 to Feb 13
- Under cover
- Sep 21 to Mar 13
- First harvest
- About 31 days after sowing. Sown on October 19, ready around November 19.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 45°F; bolts in hot weather.
ChivesOutdoors Jul 28 to Mar 28; Under cover Jun 30 to Apr 25
- Sow outdoors
- Jul 28 to Mar 28
- Under cover
- Jun 30 to Apr 25
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.
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.
Fruit
StrawberryOutdoors Aug 19 to Mar 12; Under cover Jul 22 to Apr 9
- Plant outdoors
- Aug 19 to Mar 12
- Under cover
- Jul 22 to Apr 9
- First harvest
- Crops every year once it’s established.
- Warmth
- Hardy: grows once days average 43°F.
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.
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.
Questions about growing in McAllen
Does it frost in McAllen?
Not often: frost comes in fewer than half of years, so sowing here goes by warmth rather than frost dates. A light frost can still happen on a clear, still winter night.
Can I grow tomatoes outdoors in McAllen?
Yes. Plant them outdoors Feb 12 to Mar 9, and Aug 5 to Dec 10, or under cover Jul 8 to Apr 6.
What can I sow in McAllen in November?
Outdoors: tomato, chile pepper, bell pepper, eggplant, zucchini, cucumber, winter squash, sweet corn, carrot, beet, parsnip, radish, potato, turnip, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, celery, runner bean, green bean, pea, onion, leek, scallion, shallot, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprout, kale, bok choy, basil, parsley, cilantro, chives, mint, strawberry.
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 McAllen. Free for 2 months.
App StoreComing soonHow 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