When is the last frost in Waco, TX?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Waco is around March 9, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Waco Dam, TX station (5.7 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Waco?

The average first fall frost in Waco, TX is around November 20, giving roughly a 256-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Waco, TX?

Waco is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 15 to 20°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Waco?

In Waco, TX the warmest month is August (avg high 95.3°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 35.7°F). It averages about 37.5″ of precipitation a year.

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Waco, TX Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8b · ZIP 76701 · elevation 151′ · NOAA & USDA data

Waco is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (winters can dip to 15 to 20°F), with a growing season of about 256 days between the average last spring frost (March 9) and first fall frost (November 20). The warmest month is August (avg high 95.3°F); the coldest is January (avg low 35.7°F). It averages 37.5″ of precipitation a year. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 15 to 20°F

Last spring frost

March 9

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 20

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

256 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

August

avg high 95.3°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Waco

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Waco Dam, TX (5.7 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)
January	58.5	35.7	47.1	2.7
February	61.9	40	50.9	2.7
March	68.4	47.6	58	3.5
April	76.1	54.3	65.2	3.2
May	82.9	64.2	73.6	4.4
June	90.5	71.8	81.2	3.6
July	94.5	75	84.8	1.9
August	95.3	74.9	85.1	2.4
September	89.2	67.6	78.4	3.2
October	79.7	56.7	68.2	4.3
November	68.1	46.2	57.1	2.9
December	59.8	38.5	49.1	2.8

What to plant when in Waco

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 26 · Transplant out: March 16
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 12 · Transplant out: March 23
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: March 16
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: March 16
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: March 16
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: March 16
Basil	warm	Transplant out: March 16
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 2 · Sow (fall): September 25
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): January 26 · Sow (fall): September 25
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): February 9 · Sow (fall): September 25
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): February 16 · Sow (fall): September 11
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): February 23
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): February 16 · Sow (fall): September 11
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): February 9
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: February 23
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): February 9 · Sow (fall): October 9

Dates are computed from Waco's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

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Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Waco Dam, TX, 5.7 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Waco Dam, TX, 5.7 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.