Frost dates for 73036El Reno, OK
The average last spring frost in El Reno is April 6 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 206 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 206 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 154 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 17 · May 1 | Oct 3 · Oct 21 · Nov 4 | 185 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 6 · Apr 22 | Oct 15 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 206 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 26 · Apr 11 | Oct 24 · Nov 7 · Nov 24 | 226 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for El Reno
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 73036 is matched to the NOAA station El Reno 1 N, OK, 1.7 km away, at 1,325 ft elevation (17 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Reno 1 N, OK (used) | 1,325 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 31 |
| El Reno 5 Wnw Mesonet, OK | 1,374 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 27 |
| Oklahoma City Post Ap, OK | 1,297 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 4 |
| Minco 2Ssw Mesonet, OK | 1,410 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near El Reno
- Concho, OK 73022 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Union City, OK 73090 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Calumet, OK 73014 · last Apr 12, first Oct 27
- Yukon, OK 73085 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Okarche, OK 73762 · last Apr 8, first Nov 1
- Piedmont, OK 73078 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Minco, OK 73059 · last Apr 3, first Nov 5
- Mustang, OK 73064 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in El Reno, OK?
- For ZIP code 73036, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the El Reno 1 N, OK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in El Reno, OK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 73036?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 206 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.