Frost dates for 74135Tulsa, OK
The average last spring frost in Tulsa is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 220 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 220 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 18 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 26 · Apr 9 · Apr 26 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 199 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 30 · Apr 17 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 220 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 15 · Apr 3 | Oct 31 · Nov 14 · Dec 2 | 241 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tulsa
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 27 – May 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 74135 is matched to the NOAA station Tulsa R L Jones Jr Ap, OK, 8.5 km away, at 638 ft elevation (80 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsa R L Jones Jr Ap, OK (used) | 638 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 4 |
| Tulsa Intl Ap, OK | 650 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 4 |
| Bixby, OK | 605 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 1 |
| Claremore 2 Ene, OK | 588 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Tulsa
- Tulsa, OK 74145 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
- Jenks, OK 74037 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
- Broken Arrow, OK 74012 · last Apr 1, first Nov 1
- Oakhurst, OK 74050 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
- Glenpool, OK 74033 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
- Sapulpa, OK 74067 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
- Bixby, OK 74008 · last Apr 1, first Nov 1
- Catoosa, OK 74015 · last Mar 31, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tulsa, OK?
- For ZIP code 74135, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tulsa R L Jones Jr Ap, OK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Tulsa, OK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 74135?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 220 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.