Amarillo, TX planting zone & frost dates
Amarillo is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 15 and the first fall frost around October 29, for a growing season of about 196 days.
Planting calendar for Amarillo
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 15) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 3 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 29).
Useful for zone 7a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 30 | Apr 15 | Apr 29 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 9 | Oct 29 | Oct 16 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 29, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 16. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 4.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Amarillo
- 79101 zone 7a
- 79102 zone 7a
- 79103 zone 7a
- 79104 zone 7a
- 79105 zone 7a
- 79106 zone 7a
- 79107 zone 7a
- 79108 zone 7a
- 79109 zone 7a
- 79110 zone 7a
- 79111 zone 7a
- 79114 zone 7a
- 79116 zone 7a
- 79117 zone 7a
- 79118 zone 7a
- 79119 zone 7a
- 79120 zone 7a
- 79121 zone 7a
- 79124 zone 7a
- 79159 zone 7a
- 79166 zone 7a
- 79168 zone 7a
- 79172 zone 7a
- 79174 zone 7a
- 79185 zone 7a
- 79189 zone 7a
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is Amarillo, TX?
Amarillo is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Amarillo?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Amarillo is April 15. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 29.
When can I plant tomatoes in Amarillo?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 22 – Apr 29. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Amarillo 7Ene, TX (USC00410213), 11.2 km (7.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 1094 m, based on 2 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.