Frost dates for 73506Lawton, OK
The average last spring frost in Lawton is April 1 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 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 217 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 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 28 · Apr 13 · Apr 30 | Oct 13 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 196 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 12 · Apr 1 · Apr 19 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 18 | 217 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 18 · Apr 5 | Oct 30 · Nov 14 · Nov 29 | 240 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lawton
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 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 73506 is matched to the NOAA station Lawton Muni Ap, OK, 8.9 km away, at 1,069 ft elevation (70 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawton Muni Ap, OK (used) | 1,069 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 5 |
| Lawton, OK | 1,150 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 7 |
| Medicine Pk 3W Mesonet, OK | 1,597 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 12 |
| Wichita Mtn Wr, OK | 1,665 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Lawton
- Lawton, OK 73505 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Fort Sill, OK 73503 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Medicine Park, OK 73557 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Cache, OK 73527 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Elgin, OK 73538 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Geronimo, OK 73543 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Meers, OK 73558 · last Mar 28, first Nov 6
- Faxon, OK 73540 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lawton, OK?
- For ZIP code 73506, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lawton Muni Ap, OK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Lawton, OK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 73506?
- 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.