Orange, TX planting zone & frost dates
Orange is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The last spring frost usually comes around February 28 and the first fall frost around November 23, for a growing season of about 273 days.
Planting calendar for Orange
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 28) 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: Jan 3 – Jan 17 Transplant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 20 – Jan 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 20 – Jan 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 20 – Jan 3 Transplant outdoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 20 – Jan 3 Transplant outdoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 17 – Jan 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 17 – Jan 31 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 14 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 14 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 17 – Jan 31 Transplant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 14 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 28 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 23).
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Jan 29 | Feb 28 | Mar 29 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 24 | Nov 23 | Nov 4 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 29, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 4. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 3.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Orange
- 77630 zone 9b
- 77631 zone 9a
- 77632 zone 9a
Nearby cities
- Groves zone 9b, last frost Feb 14
- Port Neches zone 9b, last frost Feb 14
- Vidor zone 9b, last frost Feb 14
- Nederland zone 9b, last frost Feb 14
- Port Arthur zone 9b, last frost Feb 14
- Beaumont zone 9b, last frost Feb 14
- Lumberton zone 9a, last frost Feb 25
- Baytown zone 9b, last frost Feb 20
Questions
What growing zone is Orange, TX?
Orange is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a (average extreme winter low 20°F to 25°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 9b.
When is the last frost in Orange?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Orange is February 28. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 29.
When can I plant tomatoes in Orange?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 7 – Mar 14. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Orange 9 N, TX (USC00416680), 14.8 km (9.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 6 m, based on 30 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.