Frost dates for 73851May, OK
The average last spring frost in May is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 179 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 179 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 17 · May 1 · May 15 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 21 | 160 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 21 · May 5 | Oct 4 · Oct 19 · Oct 31 | 179 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 11 · Apr 27 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 200 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for May
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 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 73851 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Supply 3Se, OK, 24 km away, at 2,030 ft elevation (60 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Supply 3Se, OK (used) | 2,030 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 19 |
| Buffalo 2 Ssw, OK | 1,931 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
| Buffalo 1Sw Mesonet, OK | 1,834 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 25 |
| Gate, OK | 2,250 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near May
- Laverne, OK 73848 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Fort Supply, OK 73841 · last Apr 21, first Oct 19
- Rosston, OK 73855 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Fargo, OK 73840 · last Apr 17, first Oct 20
- Buffalo, OK 73834 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Gage, OK 73843 · last Apr 17, first Oct 20
- Shattuck, OK 73858 · last Apr 17, first Oct 20
- Gate, OK 73844 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in May, OK?
- For ZIP code 73851, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Supply 3Se, OK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in May, OK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 73851?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 179 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.