How do you find out what the average last frost date is?
We’re still getting frost. Heck, it’s snowing right now, even though the robins have returned and the bulbs are coming up.
You might Google your city/county for “average last frost date,” or contact your nearest agricultural extension office. Here we have quite a few Master Gardner volunteers who can offer good advice.
San Antonio has an average last frost date of 15 March. But Googling before posting this reply I noticed a few sites list our average last frost date as falling on 23 or 24 March. We had a few late freezes last year, so averages being averages, they can change.
Some good advice I’ve never strictly followed is to wait two weeks after the average last frost date before transplanting. Usually by the time I transplant everything I’ve hit that two week waiting period. And, I compulsively seed far more plants than I possibly could ever fit into my little backyard garden. Can’t seem to help myself. If I get surprised by a cold snap, I’ve got plenty of reserves to take their place.
Check with your county extension office.
Your zone on the map will give you a rough idea but there are micro climates inside zones.
Higher elevations tend to be a bit cooler and more prone to frost.
It really only matters with hot weather crops..Stuff that can handle the cold is quite a bit more tolerant.. Anything over 40 will leave transplants happy.