Frost dates for 73717Alva, OK
The average last spring frost in Alva is April 10 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 199 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 199 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (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) | Apr 7 · Apr 20 · May 2 | Oct 4 · Oct 18 · Oct 31 | 181 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 10 · Apr 25 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 199 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 31 · Apr 14 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 20 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Alva
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 10 – May 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 3 – May 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 73717 is matched to the NOAA station Alva 1W, OK, 1.4 km away, at 1,464 ft elevation (96 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alva 1W, OK (used) | 1,464 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 28 |
| Alva 7Ssw Mesonet, OK | 1,440 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
| Cherokee 4W, OK | 1,239 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 29 |
| Cherokee 1Ssw Mesonet, OK | 1,187 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Alva
- Hopeton, OK 73746 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Dacoma, OK 73731 · last Apr 15, first Oct 29
- Burlington, OK 73722 · last Apr 15, first Oct 29
- Hardtner, KS 67057 · last Apr 13, first Oct 23
- Cherokee, OK 73728 · last Apr 15, first Oct 29
- Waynoka, OK 73860 · last Apr 12, first Oct 24
- Kiowa, KS 67070 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
- Carmen, OK 73726 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Alva, OK?
- For ZIP code 73717, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Alva 1W, OK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Alva, OK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 73717?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 199 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.