Frost dates for 73142Oklahoma City, OK
The average last spring frost in Oklahoma City is April 2 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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) | Mar 30 · Apr 13 · Apr 29 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 196 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 14 · Apr 2 · Apr 18 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 18 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 19 · Apr 5 | Oct 31 · Nov 13 · Nov 30 | 237 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oklahoma City
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 2 – May 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jun 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 73142 is matched to the NOAA station Oklahoma City Post Ap, OK, 7.5 km away, at 1,297 ft elevation (191 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Post Ap, OK (used) | 1,297 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 4 |
| Oklahoma City Will Rogers Ap, OK | 1,285 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 2 |
| Spencer 2Ene Mesonet, OK | 1,223 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 5 |
| El Reno 1 N, OK | 1,325 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Oklahoma City
- Oklahoma City, OK 73162 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Bethany, OK 73008 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Piedmont, OK 73078 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Edmond, OK 73012 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Yukon, OK 73099 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Wheatland, OK 73097 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Cashion, OK 73016 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Mustang, OK 73064 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oklahoma City, OK?
- For ZIP code 73142, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oklahoma City Post Ap, OK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Oklahoma City, OK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 73142?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.