I'm within 65 miles from Austin....I wouldn't try to grow outside until the middle of May.
Just takes one dip into the teens to kill the shit outa pot plants(according to my experience)
Beside that, an 8 footer outside is kinda hard to keep hidden.
And beside that....Get caught growin' the dank in this state and they will throw the FELONY book at you.
For less than a C note' you can get a fairly decent start on 2 or 3 plants indoors if you have the facility to keep it a TOTAL SECRET from anybody.
HopeJ this helps a bit.....................J