Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Tomatoes in Texas

America's favorite garden vegetable (technically a fruit). Nothing beats a sun-warmed tomato straight off the vine.

The Short Answer

Texas tomato growing is a tale of two seasons. In most of the state, you don't have one growing window — you have two, with a dead zone in between when triple-digit heat shuts down fruit set completely. North Texas gardeners plant in March and race to harvest before July's blast furnace arrives. South Texas and the Valley plant as early as January. The Panhandle follows a more traditional northern schedule. Understanding your specific Texas region is more important here than in almost any other state.

Texas Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Texas you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
North Texas (Dallas) 7b, 8a Mar 10 - Mar 25 Nov 5 - Nov 20
Central Texas (Austin/SA) 8a, 8b Feb 25 - Mar 15 Nov 15 - Dec 5
South Texas (Valley) 9a, 9b, 10a Jan 15 - Feb 10 Dec 10 - Jan 5
Texas Panhandle 6b, 7a Apr 10 - Apr 25 Oct 10 - Oct 25
East Texas 8a, 8b Mar 1 - Mar 20 Nov 10 - Nov 25

Tomatoes Planting Schedule for Texas

North Texas (Dallas) (Zones 7b, 8a)

Average last frost: Mar 10 - Mar 25 · Average first frost: Nov 5 - Nov 20

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Central Texas (Austin/SA) (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Feb 25 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 15 - Dec 5

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

South Texas (Valley) (Zones 9a, 9b, 10a)

Average last frost: Jan 15 - Feb 10 · Average first frost: Dec 10 - Jan 5

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Texas Panhandle (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 10 - Apr 25 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

East Texas (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 1 - Mar 20 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Growing Tomatoes in Texas

State-Specific Growing Tips

Get transplants in the ground 2-3 weeks after your last frost — don't wait. In Dallas-Fort Worth, that means mid-March. In Austin and San Antonio, late February to early March. In the Rio Grande Valley, January transplanting is common. The goal is maximum fruit set before daytime highs consistently exceed 90°F, which causes blossom drop. Once that heat arrives, existing green tomatoes will ripen, but new fruit won't set. Some Texas gardeners plant a second fall crop in late July or August, transplanting heat-tolerant varieties that fruit as temperatures cool into the 80s in September and October.

Recommended Varieties for Texas

Heat-tolerant varieties are essential. Celebrity, Heatmaster, Solar Fire, and Phoenix are bred to set fruit in high temperatures. For heirlooms, try Arkansas Traveler or Creole — both handle Texas heat better than most heirlooms. Cherry tomatoes (Sungold, Sweet 100) are more heat-tolerant than large slicers and produce through conditions that stop beefsteaks cold. Avoid cool-weather varieties like Brandywine unless you're in the Panhandle.

Common Challenges in Texas

Heat is the #1 challenge — tomatoes stop setting fruit above 90°F days / 75°F nights. Spider mites explode in hot, dry conditions, especially in west Texas. Blossom end rot is common in the alkaline soils of the Hill Country and west Texas — calcium is present but pH issues prevent uptake. Amend with sulfur to lower pH. Fire ants can damage roots and disturb transplants. Leaf-footed bugs and stink bugs attack ripening fruit statewide.

Growing Tips

Pinch off suckers for indeterminate varieties. Stake or cage for best results. Water at the base, not overhead, to prevent blight.

Companion Planting

Plant tomatoes alongside these companions for better growth:

Basil Carrots Peppers Marigolds

Keep tomatoes away from:

Brassicas Fennel Dill

The Bottom Line

Tomatoes can be grown successfully in Texas with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — North Texas (Dallas) gardeners work with a last frost around Mar 10 - Mar 25, while East Texas sees frost end around Mar 1 - Mar 20. Choose varieties suited to your region, amend your soil based on its specific needs, and monitor for the pests and diseases most common in your area. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Tomatoes Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Texas Planting Calendar All plants for Texas Tomatoes in Alabama Alabama planting dates Tomatoes in Alaska Alaska planting dates Tomatoes in Arizona Arizona planting dates Tomatoes in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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