Fort Worth, TX Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Fort Worth

In October:

• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Oct 1)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Oct 11)

The list above is for the month this page was built; the box is refreshed in your browser for today's date.

Spring planting dates

“Plant out” means transplanting for crops started indoors and sowing or planting directly in the garden for the others. Each column applies CSU Extension's timing rule to a different last-frost anchor: aggressive = typical date (Mar 5, 50% risk), balanced = Mar 12 (30%), safe = Mar 25 (10%). For hardy crops the cell shows the CSU “as early as” window.

Before sowing, check the soil too. CSU recommends taking its temperature at 4 inches (6 inches for beans). Since NOAA publishes no soil-temperature normals, we give CSU's minimum soil temperature for each crop rather than a date.

Fall planting dates

Latest dates for a fall harvest, using the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension count-back formula: days to harvest (CSU) + 14-day fall factor + 14-day frost-tender factor for frost-sensitive crops, counted back from the first-frost date. For transplanted crops (CSU days are from transplant) the result is the latest transplant date; seeds go in CSU's transplant-age weeks earlier. We add no harvest period, so these dates give you a first harvest by the first frost, not a long harvest.

Month-by-month: what to plant in Fort Worth

What to plant in Fort Worth in January

• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Jan 8–22)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Jan 22 – Feb 12)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Jan 29 – Feb 12)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Dec 25 – Jan 8)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Dec 25 – Jan 8)

What to plant in Fort Worth in February

• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Feb 6–20)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 25)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 25)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 25)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 25)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 25)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 25)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Jan 22 – Feb 12)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Jan 29 – Feb 12)

What to plant in Fort Worth in March

• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Mar 5–25)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 5–25)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Mar 5–25)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Mar 5–25)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Mar 19 – Apr 8)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Mar 19 – Apr 8)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Mar 19 – Apr 8)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Mar 19 – Apr 8)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 19 – Apr 8)
• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (Mar 27 – Apr 8)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 11)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 25)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 25)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 25)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 25)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 25)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 25)

What to plant in Fort Worth in April

• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Mar 19 – Apr 8)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Mar 19 – Apr 8)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Mar 19 – Apr 8)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Mar 19 – Apr 8)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 19 – Apr 8)
• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (Mar 27 – Apr 8)

What to plant in Fort Worth in June

• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 29 – Jul 13)

What to plant in Fort Worth in July

• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 19 – Aug 2)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 29 – Jul 13)

What to plant in Fort Worth in August

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 17)
• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Aug 28)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 19 – Aug 2)

What to plant in Fort Worth in September

• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Sep 1)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Sep 2)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Sep 6)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Sep 6)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Sep 7)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Sep 11)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Sep 11)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Sep 11)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Sep 11)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Sep 21)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Sep 21)

What to plant in Fort Worth in October

• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Oct 1)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Oct 11)

What to plant in Fort Worth in December

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Dec 25 – Jan 8)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Dec 25 – Jan 8)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Fort Worth

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to transplant tomatoes at least 2 weeks after the average last frost, with nights above 52°F. The frost rule alone would put Fort Worth at about Mar 19, but the average nightly low at Fort Worth Meacham Field NAAF isn't above 52°F until Mar 27, so our dates start there: about Mar 27 (typical), Mar 27 (balanced) or Apr 8 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Feb 6–20, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on Mar 27. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At Fort Worth Meacham Field NAAF, the normal low reaches 55°F on Apr 7. Set out on Mar 27, tomato plants would start producing around May 31, based on CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 177 days before the typical first frost (Nov 24).

When to plant peppers in Fort Worth

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule (2+ weeks after the average last frost), set peppers out around Mar 19 with the typical date, Mar 26 for a balanced choice, or Apr 8 with the safer 10% date. Sow seeds indoors Jan 29 – Feb 12, 6–8 weeks before transplanting on Mar 26. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At Fort Worth Meacham Field NAAF, the normal low reaches 55°F on Apr 7. Using CSU's typical 70 days from transplant to harvest, pepper plants set out on Mar 26 would start producing around Jun 4. That's 173 days before the typical first frost (Nov 24).

When to plant potatoes in Fort Worth

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting potatoes as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 45°F or warmer. For Fort Worth, that's roughly Feb 19 – Mar 5 by the typical date or Mar 11–25 by the safer date.

When to plant onions (dry, from sets) in Fort Worth

Hardy crop. CSU says onions (dry, from sets) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Fort Worth, that's roughly Feb 5–19 going by the typical date, or Feb 25 – Mar 11 going by the safer date.

When to plant peas in Fort Worth

Hardy crop. Per CSU, peas can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Fort Worth, that works out to roughly Feb 5–19 (typical date) or Feb 25 – Mar 11 (safer date). For fall, sow by Sep 6 (Aug 16 to be safe), which is 79 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Fort Worth

Hardy crop. CSU says lettuce (leaf) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 5–19 in Fort Worth using the typical date, or Feb 25 – Mar 11 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 11, or by Aug 21 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant carrots in Fort Worth

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting carrots as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For Fort Worth, that's roughly Feb 19 – Mar 5 by the typical date or Mar 11–25 by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 1, or by Aug 11 to be safe. That's 84 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beans (snap) in Fort Worth

Tender crop. CSU's timing for beans (snap) is around the average last frost, which is about Mar 5 in Fort Worth. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Mar 25. Seeds want soil at 55°F or warmer. For fall, count back 88 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 28, or by Aug 7 to be safe.

When to plant summer squash in Fort Worth

Tender crop. CSU says to sow summer squash around the average last frost, about Mar 5 in Fort Worth. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Mar 25. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For fall, count back 78 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 7, or by Aug 17 to be safe.

When to plant broccoli in Fort Worth

Hardy crop. CSU says broccoli can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 5–19 in Fort Worth using the typical date, or Feb 25 – Mar 11 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for broccoli plants is 65 days. Set out on Feb 12, they would start producing around Apr 18, 220 days before the typical first frost (Nov 24). For a fall crop, set broccoli transplants out by Sep 6. That's UNL Extension's count-back from the typical first frost (Nov 24), using CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest. If you grow your own transplants, start seeds Jul 19 – Aug 2 (CSU: 5–7 weeks to transplant size).

When to plant cabbage in Fort Worth

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Fort Worth, that's roughly Feb 5–19 going by the typical date, or Feb 25 – Mar 11 going by the safer date. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for cabbage plants is 85 days. Set out on Feb 12, they would start producing around May 8, 200 days before the typical first frost (Nov 24). For a fall harvest of cabbage, get transplants in the ground by Aug 17 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Nov 24, with CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds Jun 29 – Jul 13, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cauliflower in Fort Worth

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says cauliflower can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Fort Worth, that's roughly Feb 19 – Mar 5 going by the typical date, or Mar 11–25 going by the safer date.

When to plant kohlrabi in Fort Worth

Hardy crop. Per CSU, kohlrabi can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Fort Worth, that works out to roughly Feb 5–19 (typical date) or Feb 25 – Mar 11 (safer date). For fall, sow by Sep 21 (Aug 31 to be safe), which is 64 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant green onions in Fort Worth

Hardy crop. CSU says green onions can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Fort Worth, that's roughly Feb 5–19 going by the typical date, or Feb 25 – Mar 11 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 11, or by Aug 21 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant radishes in Fort Worth

Hardy crop. CSU says radishes can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Fort Worth, that's roughly Feb 5–19 going by the typical date, or Feb 25 – Mar 11 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 44 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Oct 11, or by Sep 20 to be safe.

When to plant spinach in Fort Worth

Hardy crop. Per CSU, spinach can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Fort Worth, that works out to roughly Feb 5–19 (typical date) or Feb 25 – Mar 11 (safer date). For fall, sow by Oct 1 (Sep 10 to be safe), which is 54 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in Fort Worth

Hardy crop. Per CSU, turnips can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Fort Worth, that works out to roughly Feb 5–19 (typical date) or Feb 25 – Mar 11 (safer date). For a fall crop, sow by Sep 21, or by Aug 31 to be safe. That's 64 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beets in Fort Worth

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, beets can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 19 – Mar 5 in Fort Worth (typical date) or Mar 11–25 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 11, or by Aug 21 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant swiss chard in Fort Worth

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says swiss chard can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Fort Worth, that's roughly Feb 19 – Mar 5 going by the typical date, or Mar 11–25 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 11, or by Aug 21 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant parsnips in Fort Worth

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, parsnips can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 19 – Mar 5 in Fort Worth (typical date) or Mar 11–25 (safer date). The soil should be at least 35°F.

When to plant sweet corn in Fort Worth

Tender crop. Sow sweet corn around the average last frost, per CSU: about Mar 5 in Fort Worth. Waiting until Mar 25 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 50°F.

When to plant cucumbers in Fort Worth

Tender crop. CSU's timing for cucumbers is around the average last frost, which is about Mar 5 in Fort Worth. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Mar 25. Seeds want soil at 60°F or warmer. For fall, count back 83 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 2, or by Aug 12 to be safe.

When to plant eggplant in Fort Worth

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to set eggplant out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Mar 19 using the typical date, Mar 26 as a balanced choice, or Apr 8 if you go by the safer 10% date. Start seeds indoors Jan 22 – Feb 12, 6–9 weeks before transplanting on Mar 26. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for eggplant plants is 60 days. Set out on Mar 26, they would start producing around May 25, 183 days before the typical first frost (Nov 24).

When to plant cantaloupe in Fort Worth

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant cantaloupe 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about Mar 19 (typical date), Mar 26 (balanced) or Apr 8 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Fort Worth

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant watermelon 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about Mar 19 (typical date), Mar 26 (balanced) or Apr 8 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Fort Worth

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant winter squash at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Mar 19 using the typical date, Mar 26 as a balanced choice, or Apr 8 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

How these dates are calculated

CSU states its spring rules relative to “the average last spring frost.” We use the 50% date as that average and also show the 30% and 10% anchors. See the methodology for details and limitations.

FAQ

When should I start seeds indoors in Fort Worth?

Tomatoes: Feb 6–20. Peppers: Jan 29 – Feb 12. Both windows count back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Fort Worth?

CSU Extension's rules for tomatoes are 2+ weeks after the average last frost and nights above 52°F. The frost rule alone would allow about Mar 19 here, but the average nightly low at Fort Worth Meacham Field NAAF isn't above 52°F until Mar 27. With both rules, the dates are about Mar 27 at the earliest, Mar 27 as a balanced choice, or Apr 8 to be safe.

What can I plant in Fort Worth in the fall?

These sowing deadlines count back from the typical first frost (Nov 24) using UNL Extension's method: peas by Sep 6; lettuce (leaf) by Sep 11; carrots by Sep 1; beans (snap) by Aug 28; summer squash by Sep 7; broccoli by Sep 6 (transplants); cabbage by Aug 17 (transplants); kohlrabi by Sep 21; green onions by Sep 11; radishes by Oct 11; spinach by Oct 1; turnips by Sep 21; beets by Sep 11; swiss chard by Sep 11; cucumbers by Sep 2.

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