Frost dates for 73159Oklahoma City, OK
The average last spring frost in Oklahoma City is April 4 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 213 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 213 days
Safer after Apr 20 (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 31 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 192 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 4 · Apr 20 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 17 | 213 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 21 · Apr 7 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Nov 27 | 234 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 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 73159 is matched to the NOAA station Oklahoma City Will Rogers Ap, OK, 4 km away, at 1,285 ft elevation (19 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Will Rogers Ap, OK (used) | 1,285 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 2 |
| Oklahoma City Post Ap, OK | 1,297 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 4 |
| Norman 2Nw Mesonet, OK | 1,181 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 5 |
| Spencer 2Ene Mesonet, OK | 1,223 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Oklahoma City
- Oklahoma City, OK 73139 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Wheatland, OK 73097 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Bethany, OK 73008 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Mustang, OK 73064 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Newcastle, OK 73065 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Yukon, OK 73099 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Norman, OK 73069 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Tuttle, OK 73089 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oklahoma City, OK?
- For ZIP code 73159, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oklahoma City Will Rogers Ap, OK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 20.
- When is the first frost in Oklahoma City, OK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. 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 73159?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 213 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.