When to plant in McAllen, TX
USDA Zone 10aMcAllen, Texas frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
With only about -8 frost-free days, McAllen has a short season — start heat-lovers indoors early, favor quick-maturing varieties, and use row cover to stretch both ends. In zone 10a, frost is a minor factor for McAllen — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
Frost probability
MCALLEN · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are McAllen’s own odds, recorded at MCALLEN.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 1 | Jan 27 | Dec 20 | Nov 27 | Dec 19 | Jan 26 |
| 32°F | Feb 12 | Jan 9 | Dec 14 | Dec 8 | Jan 1 | Feb 4 |
| 28°F | Feb 9 | Jan 4 | Dec 15 | Dec 14 | Jan 2 | Feb 6 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Nothing new to sow or transplant outdoors in the next few weeks — a seasonal lull. Check the full-year calendar below for the next window.
Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in McAllen, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 12 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
McAllen planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in McAllen, TX?
On average, the last spring frost in McAllen is around January 9 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in McAllen, TX?
Expect McAllen's first fall frost near January 1 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is McAllen in?
McAllen is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. In zone 10a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in McAllen?
McAllen has about -8 frost-free days — a short growing season — between the average last spring frost (January 9) and first fall frost (January 1).
When should I plant tomatoes in McAllen?
For McAllen, sow tomatoes indoors about November 14–November 28 and move the seedlings out around January 16, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in McAllen
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to McAllen’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at MCALLEN, 4 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in McAllen, TX — Frost Dates & Zone 10a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00415701. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/texas/mcallen.