Dallas Gardening Guide (2026)

Transition; hot summers, occasional winter freezes.

USDA zone
8
Typical last frost
03/15
Typical first frost
11/15

Quick answer (Dallas): Gardeners here work in about a 245-day frost-free window around zone 8. State context: Texas (zones 6–10). Start warm crops indoors ~6 weeks before the last frost of 03/15.

Your Dallas planting calendar

Pre-filled with Dallas's frost dates. Choose a crop to print your plan.

In this ZIP (typical zone 6–10), last frost β‰ˆ Mar 15, first frost β‰ˆ Nov 15 (245-day season), your Tomato plan:

Start seeds indoors
Feb 1
Sow / transplant outdoors
Mar 29
First harvest
Jun 7
Spacing / depth
24β€³ / 0.25β€³

Month-by-month (this ZIP, 2026)

MonthAction
Janβ€”
FebStart indoors
MarSow Β· Transplant
Aprβ€”
Mayβ€”
JunHarvest
Julβ€”
Augβ€”
Sepβ€”
Octβ€”
Novβ€”
Decβ€”

Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost; transplant after soil warms. Zones 3–13 suitable. Dates are typical; confirm with your county extension and watch the 10-day forecast.

Common pests near Dallas

Pre-filled to Texas. Pick a pest for signs, organic-first treatment, and a printable IPM card.

Fire Ant

Targets
Lawns, beds, people/pets
Signs
Mounded nests; painful sting.
Organic / IPM first
Broadcast beneficial nematodes; boiling water (small mounds); diatomaceous earth.
Chemical option (follow label)
Bait containing spinosad or hydramethylnon; treat entire yard.
Prevention
Two-step bait program in spring and fall; keep lawn healthy.

Crops that fit zone 8

Vegetables and herbs suited to your metro zone β€” open any for a state-specific planting card:

Dallas year at a glance

A month-by-month rhythm built from Dallas's typical frost window (last frost 03/15, first frost 11/15). Dates shift with weather β€” watch the 10-day forecast before planting tender crops.

MonthTypical Dallas garden work
JanPlan the season, order seeds, start slow crops (onions from seed) indoors under lights.
FebStart peppers and early tomatoes indoors ~6-8 weeks before last frost; harden off later crops.
MarSow hardy greens; prepare beds; start tomatoes indoors if not yet done.
AprPlant early warm crops after frost; direct-sow beans, corn, cucumbers.
MayDirect-sow the rest of the warm season (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash); keep transplants watered and mulched.
JunKeep up with harvests (lettuce, radishes, peas); succession-sow beans and quick greens.
JulPlant fall brassicas (broccoli, kale) for autumn; keep watering steady through heat.
AugStart fall greens; sow carrots and beets for late harvest; stay on top of pests.
SepPlant fall crops of lettuce and spinach; harvest summer crops at peak.
OctHarvest tender crops before frost; plant garlic; protect late tomatoes.
NovClean up beds, add compost, cover soil; store root crops; plan cover crops.
DecOrder next year's seeds; review what worked; start spring garden notes.

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