Frost dates for 73931Balko, OK
The average last spring frost in Balko is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 197 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 197 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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 11 · Apr 25 · May 7 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 3 | 176 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 14 · Apr 29 | Oct 15 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 197 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Apr 1 · Apr 20 | Oct 25 · Nov 7 · Nov 21 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Balko
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 73931 is matched to the NOAA station Perryton, TX, 25.5 km away, at 2,942 ft elevation (94 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perryton, TX (used) | 2,942 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 30 |
| Turpin 4 Sse, OK | 2,705 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 25 |
| Beaver, OK | 2,465 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 21 |
| Liberal, KS | 2,834 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Balko
- Booker, TX 79005 · last Apr 14, first Oct 30
- Perryton, TX 79070 · last Apr 14, first Oct 30
- Beaver, OK 73932 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Turpin, OK 73950 · last Apr 17, first Oct 25
- Adams, OK 73901 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Forgan, OK 73938 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Darrouzett, TX 79024 · last Apr 16, first Oct 27
- Hardesty, OK 73944 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Balko, OK?
- For ZIP code 73931, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Perryton, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Balko, OK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 73931?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 197 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.