Frost dates for 73163Oklahoma City, OK
The average last spring frost in Oklahoma City is April 2 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 217 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 217 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 19 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 26 · Apr 12 · Apr 28 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 197 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 12 · Apr 2 · Apr 18 | Oct 20 · Nov 5 · Nov 20 | 217 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 17 · Apr 6 | Oct 30 · Nov 13 · Dec 1 | 239 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 16 |
| 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 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jun 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 16 |
| 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 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 73163 is matched to the NOAA station Spencer 2Ene Mesonet, OK, 6.1 km away, at 1,223 ft elevation (88 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spencer 2Ene Mesonet, OK (used) | 1,223 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 5 |
| Oklahoma City Post Ap, OK | 1,297 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 4 |
| Oklahoma City Will Rogers Ap, OK | 1,285 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 2 |
| Guthrie 5S, OK | 1,110 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Oklahoma City
- Oklahoma City, OK 73113 · last Apr 2, first Nov 5
- Spencer, OK 73084 · last Apr 2, first Nov 5
- Nicoma Park, OK 73066 · last Apr 2, first Nov 5
- Edmond, OK 73012 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Jones, OK 73049 · last Apr 2, first Nov 5
- Arcadia, OK 73007 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Choctaw, OK 73020 · last Apr 2, first Nov 5
- Bethany, OK 73008 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oklahoma City, OK?
- For ZIP code 73163, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Spencer 2Ene Mesonet, 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 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 73163?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 217 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.