Seeds & Plants Purchased for 2016 Victory Gardens - 20 Raised Beds
My Victory Garden Ideal Planting Schedule - Lubbock, TX   Zone 7  - USDA Zone Finder
The Panhandle and High Plains. This includes both Amarillo and Lubbock and encompasses the upper northwest section of the state.
Much of the state's cotton and corn are grown here, and it is known for windy conditions.

I developed the planting schedule below based on information found on various websites.   The information is my personal use.   If you find it helpful, than that is a bonus.  I live in USDA Planting Zone 7 where the average last spring frost is April 15th and the first fall freeze is Oct 31st.

When I use the word "sow" it means plant seeds directly in soil outdoors.   The word "start" means plant seeds in pots indoors and then transplant them 2+ weeks after last spring frost.

Some people prefer to sow & transplant based on soil temperature.   Personally I have not used this method.

• 45°F – potato, onion, peas, spinach, arugula, lettuce

• 50°F – broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower

• 60°F – tomato, corn, beet

• 65°F – cantaloupe, cucumber, green bean, pepper, pumpkin, squash

• 70°F – lima bean, okra

I have read that if you plant your tomatoes when the soil is below 60°F, they won't take off.  Seed will rot if sowed outside when the soil is too cold.  On the other hand, lettuce and spinach will not germinate when the soil is too hot.

At the end of the season, cover your raised bed with black plastic.  This accomplished two things:  prevents weeds seeds from finding a home in your bed, weed seeds that are there already are smothered and the soil warms up faster.

• First and Last Freeze for Texas cities

• Texas Interactive Last Frost Map - Plant Maps 

• NWS Lubbock, TX - Local Climate Data

• Interactive Map | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 

• Lookup your first and last freeze/frost dates by zip code 

• Average Frost Dates - Farmers' Almanac

• National Frost Dates by City and State 

• Frost Dates - Last Frost Dates In USA 

When you visit the above sites, and countless others, you will discover that the published Frost Dates vary greatly.   Generally, I have deducted 7 days from "First Frost" dates, and added 7 days to "Last Frost" dates when I set up my personal planting calendar.  I have the admit that sometimes planting early and/or late has not worked.  But hey, I am a gardener and "hope springs eternal" in my world.

So, if you are inexperienced or very experienced, ask around - gather info from your friends or consult a professional garden shop in your area.   Before planting watch for periods of extended weather fluctuations.  Observation is a great tool.