US Grow Zones

Mesquite, Texas: planting zone & frost dates

Last updated · Sources: PRISM/OSU 2023 ZIP zone listings; NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals (station USC00413133); U.S. Census Bureau — see methodology

Mesquite is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b, where the average coldest winter night reaches 15 to 20°F (-9.4 to -6.7°C). The typical last spring frost is around Mar 20 and the first fall frost around Nov 11.

Hardiness zone8B15 to 20°F
Last spring frostMar 2030% chance of frost after
First fall frostNov 1130% chance of frost before
Growing season253 daysmedian frost-free days

Frost dates

ProbabilityLast spring frost (32°F)First fall frost (32°F)
Safer (10% risk)Mar 31Nov 2
Typical planning date (30% risk)Mar 20Nov 11
Median (50%)Mar 12Nov 19

How to read this: after the spring "10% risk" date, a 32°F frost happens in only about 1 year in 10. In fall, the "10% risk" date is the early end — a frost before it happens about 1 year in 10.

Frost data comes from NOAA station FERRIS, TX (USC00413133), 16.2 mi (26.1 km) from the city center and 30 ft lower than the city center (-9 m). Record used for the 1991–2020 normals: 20 years.

Frost probability in spring and fall, Mesquite, TXChance of a 32°F frost in Mesquite, TX, NOAA 1991–2020. Spring: the chance of another frost falls from 90% on Feb 21 to 10% on Mar 31. Fall: the chance that the first frost has arrived rises from 10% on Nov 2 to 90% on Dec 6.0%50%100%Spring: later frostFeb 1Mar 1Apr 130%: Mar 20Fall: frost arrivedNov 1Dec 1Jan 130%: Nov 1132°F frost28°F hard freezeplanning date
Shaded areas show the chance of a 32°F frost: falling through spring, rising through fall. The dashed line is the 28°F hard-freeze curve. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 Normals, station USC00413133.
Frost-free growing season in Mesquite, TX1 in 10 risk: Mar 31 to Nov 2 (216 days); 3 in 10 risk: Mar 20 to Nov 11 (236 days); Median (50%): Mar 12 to Nov 19 (252 days); No 28°F freeze: Mar 1 to Dec 1 (275 days). In 9 of 10 years the 32°F-free season is at least 227 days.Frost-free days, spring to fallJFMAMJJASOND1 in 10 risk216 days3 in 10 risk236 daysMedian (50%)252 daysNo 28°F freeze275 days
Frost-free window at three risk levels, plus the window between 28°F hard freezes. Read about what the probabilities mean.

Why your yard may differ from the station: microclimates.

Hardiness zone across Mesquite

All 4 ZIP codes covering Mesquite are in zone 8b.

ZIP codes in Mesquite and their zones
ZIPZoneShare of city land
751498b31.7%
751818b31.6%
751508b25.8%
751268b10.0%

Vegetable planting calendar for Mesquite

Dates are counted from the 30%-risk frost dates above (last frost Mar 20, first frost Nov 11). Shift a week later in cold spots or low-lying ground.

CropStart indoorsTransplant / plant outDirect sowFall crop sow/plant
TomatoJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 27 – Apr 10——
PepperJan 9 – Jan 23Apr 3 – Apr 17——
LettuceFeb 6 – Feb 20Mar 6 – Mar 27Feb 20 – Apr 3Sep 2 – Sep 30
Green Beans——Mar 27 – May 1Aug 19 – Sep 2
Sweet Corn——Mar 27 – Apr 24—
Zucchini & Summer SquashFeb 20 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10Mar 27 – Apr 17Aug 19 – Sep 2
CucumberFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 3 – Apr 10Mar 27 – Apr 17Aug 19 – Sep 2
Carrot——Feb 27 – Apr 3Aug 19 – Sep 2
OnionDec 26 – Jan 9Feb 20 – Mar 6——
Potato—Feb 20 – Mar 13——
BasilFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 24—
Spinach——Feb 6 – Mar 6Sep 16 – Oct 14
KaleJan 23 – Feb 6Feb 20 – Mar 13Feb 20 – Mar 13Sep 2 – Sep 30
BroccoliJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 27—Aug 19 – Sep 2
Peas——Feb 6 – Feb 27Sep 2 – Sep 16
EggplantJan 9 – Jan 23Apr 3 – Apr 17——
CabbageJan 23 – Feb 6Feb 20 – Mar 6—Aug 19 – Sep 2
Radish——Feb 13 – Apr 3Sep 30 – Oct 28
Strawberry—Feb 20 – Mar 13——
Beets——Feb 27 – Apr 10Sep 2 – Sep 16

Nearby cities in Texas

More: all Texas cities · other zone 8b cities: Dallas, TX, Fort Worth, TX, El Paso, TX, Virginia Beach, VA, Arlington, TX, Plano, TX, Irving, TX, Garland, TX

Mesquite gardening questions

When is the last frost in Mesquite, TX?

Plan around Mar 20. At NOAA's Ferris, TX station, 16.2 mi from the city center, there is a 30% chance of a 32°F frost after that date. Half of springs have their last frost by Mar 12, and after Mar 31 the risk drops to about 1 in 10. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends earlier, around Mar 1. The 90% and 10% dates are 38 days apart, close to the 36-day median for cities on this site.

When should I plant tomatoes in Mesquite, TX?

Start seeds indoors Jan 23 – Feb 6 and set transplants outside Mar 27 – Apr 10, once nights stay above 50°F and the soil is near 60°F. That leaves 236 days between the 30% frost dates, enough for most varieties including 80–85-day slicers. More: tomato planting dates by zone.

How long is the growing season in Mesquite?

About 253 days without a 32°F frost in a typical (median) year. In 9 years out of 10 the season lasts at least 227 days, and in 1 year in 10 it runs 277 days or more. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost by Nov 2 and a 30% chance by Nov 11. That ranks 39th longest of 55 Texas cities on this site.

When should I plant a fall garden in Mesquite?

Count back from the first fall frost (Nov 11): transplant broccoli Aug 19 – Sep 2; sow kale Sep 2 – Sep 30; sow lettuce Sep 2 – Sep 30; sow radishes Sep 30 – Oct 28. Hardy crops keep growing through light frosts; the median 28°F hard freeze here is Dec 1. How the math works: succession and fall planting.

Did Mesquite's hardiness zone change on the 2023 map?

Yes. Most of Mesquite was zone 8a on the 2012 map and is zone 8b on the 2023 map — half a zone warmer, like about 56% of U.S. ZIP codes. The shift comes from a newer 1991–2020 averaging period plus more weather stations and better mapping; it does not mean last frost comes earlier. Why the 2023 map is warmer.

How does Mesquite compare with Garland, TX?

Both are in zone 8b. The typical last spring frost in Mesquite (Mar 20) comes about 6 days later than in Garland, TX (Mar 14), 11 miles away, and the first fall frost is Nov 11 versus Nov 13. The two cities use different NOAA stations.