Dallas, TX Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Dallas

In October:

• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Oct 6)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Oct 16)

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 2, 50% risk), balanced = Mar 9 (30%), safe = Mar 19 (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 Dallas

What to plant in Dallas in January

• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Jan 5–19)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Jan 19 – Feb 9)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Jan 26 – Feb 9)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Dec 22 – Jan 5)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Dec 22 – Jan 5)

What to plant in Dallas in February

• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Feb 6–20)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Jan 19 – Feb 9)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Jan 26 – Feb 9)

What to plant in Dallas in March

• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Mar 2–19)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2–19)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2–19)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2–19)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (Mar 27 – Apr 2)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)

What to plant in Dallas in April

• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (Mar 27 – Apr 2)

What to plant in Dallas in July

• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 4–18)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 24 – Aug 7)

What to plant in Dallas in August

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 22)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 24 – Aug 7)

What to plant in Dallas in September

• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Sep 2)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Sep 6)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Sep 7)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Sep 11)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Sep 11)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Sep 12)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Sep 16)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Sep 16)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Sep 16)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Sep 16)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Sep 26)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Sep 26)

What to plant in Dallas in October

• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Oct 6)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Oct 16)

What to plant in Dallas in December

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Dec 22 – Jan 5)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Dec 22 – Jan 5)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Dallas

Very tender crop. Two CSU Extension rules set the timing for tomatoes: at least 2 weeks after the average last frost, and nights above 52°F. In Dallas, the frost rule alone would allow about Mar 16, but the average nightly low at Dallas Love Field first rises above 52°F on Mar 27. With both rules, the dates are about Mar 27 (typical date), Mar 27 (balanced) or Apr 2 (safer 10% date). Sow seeds indoors Feb 6–20, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on Mar 27. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At Dallas Love Field, the normal low reaches 55°F on Apr 9. 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 182 days before the typical first frost (Nov 29).

When to plant peppers in Dallas

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule (2+ weeks after the average last frost), set peppers out around Mar 16 with the typical date, Mar 23 for a balanced choice, or Apr 2 with the safer 10% date. Sow seeds indoors Jan 26 – Feb 9, 6–8 weeks before transplanting on Mar 23. Fruit set suffers when nights drop below 55°F (CSU). The normal low at Dallas Love Field reaches 55°F on Apr 9. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for pepper plants is 70 days. Set out on Mar 23, they would start producing around Jun 1, 181 days before the typical first frost (Nov 29).

When to plant potatoes in Dallas

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 Dallas, that's roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 by the typical date or Mar 5–19 by the safer date.

When to plant onions (dry, from sets) in Dallas

Hardy crop. CSU says onions (dry, from sets) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 2–16 in Dallas using the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F.

When to plant peas in Dallas

Hardy crop. CSU says peas can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 2–16 in Dallas using the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 11, or by Aug 23 to be safe. That's 79 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Dallas

Hardy crop. CSU says lettuce (leaf) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 2–16 in Dallas using the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 16, or by Aug 28 to be safe.

When to plant carrots in Dallas

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says carrots can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Dallas, that's roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 going by the typical date, or Mar 5–19 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Sep 6 (Aug 18 to be safe), which is 84 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant beans (snap) in Dallas

Tender crop. CSU says to sow beans (snap) around the average last frost, about Mar 2 in Dallas. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Mar 19. Seeds need soil of at least 55°F. For fall, sow by Sep 2 (Aug 14 to be safe), which is 88 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant summer squash in Dallas

Tender crop. CSU's timing for summer squash is around the average last frost, which is about Mar 2 in Dallas. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Mar 19. Seeds want soil at 60°F or warmer. For fall, sow by Sep 12 (Aug 24 to be safe), which is 78 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant broccoli in Dallas

Hardy crop. CSU says broccoli 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 Dallas, that's roughly Feb 2–16 going by the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 going by the safer date. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for broccoli plants is 65 days. Set out on Feb 9, they would start producing around Apr 15, 228 days before the typical first frost (Nov 29). Fall broccoli: set transplants out by Sep 11. The date counts back from the typical first frost (Nov 29) by UNL Extension's method, using CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest. Home-grown transplants need seeds started Jul 24 – Aug 7 (CSU: 5–7 weeks).

When to plant cabbage in Dallas

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 2–16 in Dallas using the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. Set out on Feb 9, cabbage plants would start producing around May 5, based on CSU's typical 85 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 208 days before the typical first frost (Nov 29). Fall cabbage: set transplants out by Aug 22. The date counts back from the typical first frost (Nov 29) by UNL Extension's method, using CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest. Home-grown transplants need seeds started Jul 4–18 (CSU: 5–7 weeks).

When to plant cauliflower in Dallas

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting cauliflower as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For Dallas, that's roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 by the typical date or Mar 5–19 by the safer date.

When to plant kohlrabi in Dallas

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 Dallas, that works out to roughly Feb 2–16 (typical date) or Feb 19 – Mar 5 (safer date). For fall, count back 64 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 26, or by Sep 7 to be safe.

When to plant green onions in Dallas

Hardy crop. Per CSU, green onions can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 35°F. For Dallas, that works out to roughly Feb 2–16 (typical date) or Feb 19 – Mar 5 (safer date). For fall, sow by Sep 16 (Aug 28 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant radishes in Dallas

Hardy crop. Per CSU, radishes 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 Dallas, that works out to roughly Feb 2–16 (typical date) or Feb 19 – Mar 5 (safer date). For fall, sow by Oct 16 (Sep 27 to be safe), which is 44 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant spinach in Dallas

Hardy crop. CSU says spinach can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 2–16 in Dallas using the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, count back 54 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Oct 6, or by Sep 17 to be safe.

When to plant turnips in Dallas

Hardy crop. CSU says turnips can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 2–16 in Dallas using the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 26, or by Sep 7 to be safe. That's 64 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beets in Dallas

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says beets can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Dallas, that's roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 going by the typical date, or Mar 5–19 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Sep 16 (Aug 28 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant swiss chard in Dallas

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 Dallas, that's roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 going by the typical date, or Mar 5–19 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 16, or by Aug 28 to be safe.

When to plant parsnips in Dallas

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, parsnips can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 in Dallas (typical date) or Mar 5–19 (safer date). The soil should be at least 35°F.

When to plant sweet corn in Dallas

Tender crop. CSU says to sow sweet corn around the average last frost, about Mar 2 in Dallas. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Mar 19. Seeds need soil of at least 50°F.

When to plant cucumbers in Dallas

Tender crop. Sow cucumbers around the average last frost, per CSU: about Mar 2 in Dallas. Waiting until Mar 19 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 7, or by Aug 19 to be safe. That's 83 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant eggplant in Dallas

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is 2+ weeks after the average last frost, which puts eggplant outside around Mar 16 (typical date), Mar 23 (balanced) or Apr 2 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Jan 19 – Feb 9, 6–9 weeks ahead of transplanting on Mar 23. Set out on Mar 23, eggplant plants would start producing around May 22, based on CSU's typical 60 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 191 days before the typical first frost (Nov 29).

When to plant cantaloupe in Dallas

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant cantaloupe at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Mar 16 using the typical date, Mar 23 as a balanced choice, or Apr 2 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Dallas

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant watermelon at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Mar 16 using the typical date, Mar 23 as a balanced choice, or Apr 2 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Dallas

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 16 using the typical date, Mar 23 as a balanced choice, or Apr 2 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 Dallas?

Start tomatoes Feb 6–20 and peppers Jan 26 – Feb 9. Both dates count back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Dallas?

About Mar 27 at the earliest, Mar 27 as a balanced choice, or Apr 2 to be safe. CSU wants tomatoes out 2+ weeks after the average last frost (that rule alone gives about Mar 16 here) and nights above 52°F. At Dallas Love Field, the average nightly low first rises above 52°F on Mar 27, so the earliest date starts there.

What can I plant in Dallas in the fall?

Based on UNL Extension's count-back from the typical first frost (Nov 29), the deadlines are: peas by Sep 11; lettuce (leaf) by Sep 16; carrots by Sep 6; beans (snap) by Sep 2; summer squash by Sep 12; broccoli by Sep 11 (transplants); cabbage by Aug 22 (transplants); kohlrabi by Sep 26; green onions by Sep 16; radishes by Oct 16; spinach by Oct 6; turnips by Sep 26; beets by Sep 16; swiss chard by Sep 16; cucumbers by Sep 7.

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