As temperatures cool down, it’s time to start planning your fall garden in Fort Worth’s 7b hardiness zone. With a first freeze date of November 14, you’ll want to choose plants that can tolerate the cold. Most vegetables thrive when started as transplants and require at least 8 hours of sunlight daily.
To maximize success, consider grouping short-term crops by their frost tolerance. Remove grass from your new garden location and ensure good access to water. Fall vegetable gardens can provide a continuous harvest until the first frost date.
Some frost-susceptible vegetables include beans, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peas, peppers, Irish potatoes, squash, tomatoes, and watermelon. In contrast, frost-tolerant vegetables like beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, collards, garlic, kale, lettuce, mustard, onion, parsley, spinach, and turnips will thrive.
Native Texas plants are also an excellent choice for fall gardening. They conserve water, protect the soil, and provide habitats for wildlife. Planting perennials, shrubs, and trees in late summer can allow them to establish themselves before the heat of next summer.
Jay Caddel, a Tarrant County extension agent for home horticulture at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, offers gardening advice and promotes the benefits of native Texas plants.
Source: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/08/14/north-texas-fall-garden-preparations