Frost dates for 73491Velma, OK
The average last spring frost in Velma is March 28 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 227 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 227 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 11 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 22 · Apr 9 · Apr 26 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 12 | 202 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 28 · Apr 18 | Oct 23 · Nov 7 · Nov 21 | 227 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 12 · Apr 3 | Oct 30 · Nov 16 · Dec 2 | 248 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Velma
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 | Feb 25 – May 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – May 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 73491 is matched to the NOAA station Velma 7Nw Mesonet, OK, 11.9 km away, at 1,118 ft elevation (52 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Velma 7Nw Mesonet, OK (used) | 1,118 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 7 |
| Duncan, OK | 1,125 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 7 |
| Ringling 1N Mesonet, OK | 928 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 7 |
| Healdton 3 E, OK | 902 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Velma
- Countyline, OK 73425 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Tussy, OK 73488 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Ratliff City, OK 73481 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Loco, OK 73442 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Duncan, OK 73536 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- Tatums, OK 73487 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Fox, OK 73435 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Foster, OK 73434 · last Apr 13, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Velma, OK?
- For ZIP code 73491, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Velma 7Nw Mesonet, OK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Velma, OK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 73491?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 227 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.