When To Plant Seeds In Texas – Optimal Planting Times Guide

Figuring out when to plant seeds in Texas is the first step to a successful garden. Our guide will help you navigate the state’s unique climate for optimal planting times.

Texas gardening is exciting because you can grow almost anything. But its size means you have several distinct climate zones. What works in Amarillo often fails in Houston. Your local frost dates and summer heat are the biggest factors for seed starting.

This guide breaks it down by region and season. You’ll get clear schedules for vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

When to Plant Seeds in Texas

This core schedule depends on where you live. Texas is generally split into four main gardening regions: North, Central, South, and the Trans-Pecos. Always check your specific last spring frost date for the most accurate timing.

Understanding Your Texas Growing Zone

First, know your USDA Hardiness Zone. This number tells you your average extreme minimum winter temperature. It’s crucial for perennial plants. For annual vegetables and flowers, we focus more on frost dates and heat tolerance.

  • North Texas (Zones 6b-8a): Colder winters, later spring frosts (often early April), and shorter springs before intense heat.
  • Central Texas (Zones 8a-8b): Mild winters, earlier last frosts (mid-March), and long, hot summers. A prime gardening region.
  • South Texas (Zones 9a-10a): Very mild winters, rare frosts, and extremely long, hot summers. Focus on heat-loving plants.
  • Trans-Pecos/West Texas (Zones 7b-8b): Arid, with wide temperature swings. Frost dates vary by elevation.

Spring Planting Schedule

Spring is a busy planting season. The goal is to get seeds in the ground after frost danger passes but early enough to mature before the worst summer heat.

Cool-Season Crops (Plant in Early Spring)

These tolerate light frost and prefer cool weather. Direct sow seeds as soon as the soil is workable.

  • North TX: Plant February to early March.
  • Central TX: Plant January to February.
  • South TX: Plant October through February (a winter crop here).
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Examples: Lettuce, spinach, kale, peas, radishes, carrots, and beets. Start broccoli and cabbage seeds indoors even earlier, about 6-8 weeks before your transplant date.

Warm-Season Crops (Plant After Last Frost)

These seeds need warm soil and will be damaged by frost. Wait until all danger has passed.

  • North TX: Plant early April to May.
  • Central TX: Plant mid-March to April.
  • South TX: Plant February to March.

Examples: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (start these indoors 8 weeks before transplanting), beans, corn, squash, cucumbers, and melons sown directly.

Fall Planting Schedule

Fall is often the best gardening season in Texas. The heat breaks, but the soil is still warm. You can grow another round of cool-season crops and some warm-season ones for a late harvest.

Calculating Your Fall Planting Date

The trick is to count backwards from your first average fall frost date. Find the “days to maturity” on your seed packet. Add 2-3 weeks for slower growth in shorter, cooler days. That’s your target planting date.

  1. Find your first fall frost date (e.g., November 15th).
  2. Choose a crop like broccoli (70 days to maturity).
  3. Add 14 days for fall slowdown (total 84 days).
  4. Count back 84 days from November 15th.
  5. Plant your broccoli seeds around August 23rd.

What to Plant in Late Summer/Fall

In July/August, start seeds indoors or in a shaded area for tomatoes and peppers for a fall crop. In August/September, direct sow:

  • All your spring cool-season crops (lettuce, greens, carrots).
  • Quick-growing beans and summer squash (by early August).
  • Garlic and onion sets are planted in the fall for a summer harvest next year.

Regional Quick-Reference Calendars

North Texas (Dallas, Ft. Worth, Lubbock)

  • Jan-Feb: Start seeds indoors for tomatoes, peppers, eggplant.
  • Mar: Direct sow peas, potatoes, radishes. Transplant cool-weather seedlings.
  • Apr: Direct sow beans, corn, squash after frost. Transplant warm-season plants.
  • Aug: Start fall tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, kale indoors.
  • Sep: Direct sow lettuce, radishes, spinach, carrots.
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Central Texas (Austin, San Antonio, Waco)

  • Jan: Direct sow potatoes, peas. Start pepper/tomato seeds indoors.
  • Feb-Mar: Direct sow beets, carrots, Swiss chard. Transplant tomatoes/peppers after mid-March.
  • Jul: Start fall brassicas (broccoli, etc.) indoors.
  • Aug: Direct sow pumpkin, squash, beans. Start lettuce seeds in shade.
  • Sep-Oct: Direct sow all cool-season crops.

South Texas (Houston, Corpus Christi, Valley)

  • Year-Round: Heat-loving herbs and vegetables like okra and sweet potatoes.
  • Feb-Mar: Main spring planting for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers.
  • Aug-Sep: Primary fall planting time. Direct sow tomatoes, beans, squash, and corn in early Aug; cucumbers in Sep.
  • Oct-Feb: The prime season for lettuce, greens, broccoli, carrots, and radishes.

Tips for Successful Seed Starting in Texas

The intense sun and heat present unique challanges. Here’s how to adapt.

Beat the Heat

  • Shade Cloth: Use 30-50% shade cloth to protect young seedlings from harsh afternoon sun in late spring and summer.
  • Mulch Heavily: Apply 3-4 inches of organic mulch to keep soil cool and conserve moisture.
  • Water Deeply & Early: Water at the base of plants in the early morning to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal disease.

Soil Preparation

Texas soil ranges from heavy clay to sandy. Improve any soil with compost. It helps clay drain and helps sand retain water. A soil test from your local county extension office is a wise investment—it tells you exactly what nutrients you need.

Choosing the Right Varieties

Always look for varieties labeled as “heat-tolerant,” “drought-resistant,” or with a short “days to maturity.” This is especially important for spring crops that must beat the heat and fall crops that must beat the frost. Your local garden center will carry seeds suited for your area.

Common Seed Starting Mistakes to Avoid

  • Planting too early in spring: Impatience leads to frost damage. Warm soil is better than early planting.
  • Ignoring soil temperature: Some seeds, like peppers, need soil above 70°F to germinate. A soil thermometer helps.
  • Planting too deep: Check seed packet instructions. A general rule is to plant a seed 2-3 times its width deep.
  • Overwatering seeds: Keep soil moist, not soggy, or seeds may rot before they sprout.
  • Not hardening off seedlings: Gradually expose indoor-started plants to outdoor sun and wind over 7-10 days before transplanting.
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FAQ: Planting Seeds in Texas

Q: What month do you start seeds in Texas?
A: It varies widely. Cool-season seeds can be started in January (Central/South) or February (North). Warm-season seeds are typically started indoors in December-January (South), January-February (Central), or February-March (North).

Q: Is it to late to plant seeds in April?
A: Not at all! In North Texas, April is prime time for warm-season crops. In Central Texas, you can still plant fast-growing items like beans and squash. In South Texas, shift to heat-loving crops like okra, Southern peas, and sweet potatoes.

Q: Can you plant seeds year-round in Texas?
A: In South Texas, practically yes. In Central and North Texas, you can have productive spring, summer, and fall seasons, but winter is mostly for dormant perennials and very hardy crops like garlic and onions.

Q: How do you protect seedlings from a late frost?
A: Have floating row covers, old sheets, or frost cloth ready. Drape them over plants before nightfall when frost is forecasted. Remove them in the morning once temperatures rise.

Q: What are the easiest vegetables to grow from seed in Texas?
A> Beginners have great success with radishes, lettuce, bush beans, squash, cucumbers, and okra. They germinate quickly and grow well in our climate with proper timing.

By aligning your seed planting with these regional calendars, you work with Texas’s climate, not against it. Keep a simple garden journal each year noting what you planted when and how it performed. This personal record will become your most valuable tool for perfecting your own optimal planting times.