Frost dates for 73542Frederick, OK
The average last spring frost in Frederick is March 26 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 229 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 229 days
Safer after Apr 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 15 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 8 · Apr 24 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 15 | 207 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 26 · Apr 14 | Oct 26 · Nov 10 · Nov 27 | 229 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 11 · Apr 1 | Nov 2 · Nov 21 · Dec 8 | 252 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Frederick
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 23 – May 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – May 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 73542 is matched to the NOAA station Altus Afb, OK, 5.4 km away, at 1,267 ft elevation (32 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altus Afb, OK (used) | 1,267 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 10 |
| Frederick, OK | 1,285 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 4 |
| Tipton 4S Mesonet, OK | 1,269 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 6 |
| Grandfield 3W Mesonet, OK | 1,122 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Frederick
- Manitou, OK 73555 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
- Hollister, OK 73551 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
- Tipton, OK 73570 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
- Davidson, OK 73530 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
- Loveland, OK 73553 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Headrick, OK 73549 · last Apr 5, first Nov 2
- Snyder, OK 73566 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
- Elmer, OK 73539 · last Apr 5, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Frederick, OK?
- For ZIP code 73542, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Altus Afb, OK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 14.
- When is the first frost in Frederick, OK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 73542?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 229 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.