When to plant in Stafford, TX
USDA Zone 9bStafford, Texas frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
A generous ~312-day season lets Stafford gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. In zone 9b, frost is a minor factor for Stafford — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
Frost probability
HOUSTON SUGARLAND MEM · 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 Stafford’s own odds, recorded at HOUSTON SUGARLAND MEM.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 21 | Feb 26 | Jan 25 | Nov 7 | Nov 27 | Dec 24 |
| 32°F | Mar 7 | Feb 2 | Dec 28 | Nov 20 | Dec 11 | Jan 16 |
| 28°F | Feb 23 | Jan 18 | Dec 17 | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Feb 2 |
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 Stafford, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 17 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.
Stafford planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Stafford, TX?
Stafford's average last spring frost falls near February 2 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Stafford, TX?
The first fall frost in Stafford typically arrives around December 11 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Stafford in?
Stafford is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Stafford?
Stafford has about 312 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (February 2) and first fall frost (December 11).
When should I plant tomatoes in Stafford?
For Stafford, sow tomatoes indoors about December 8–December 22 and move the seedlings out around February 9, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Stafford
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Stafford’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Sugar Land · 8 km
- Missouri City · 8 km
- Four Corners · 10 km
- Mission Bend · 12 km
- Bellaire · 13 km
- Fresno · 14 km
- Pecan Grove · 16 km
- West University Place · 16 km
Frost dates recorded at HOUSTON SUGARLAND MEM, 9 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 Stafford, TX — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00012977. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/texas/stafford.