Frost dates for 75081Richardson, TX
The average last spring frost in Richardson is March 7 and the average first fall frost is November 21, giving a typical growing season of about 259 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 7
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 21
- Growing season
- 259 days
Safer after Mar 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 2 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 25 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 2 · Mar 21 · Apr 11 | Oct 23 · Nov 10 · Nov 27 | 233 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 7 · Mar 29 | Nov 2 · Nov 21 · Dec 9 | 259 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 27 · Feb 24 · Mar 12 | Nov 14 · Dec 4 · Dec 26 | 288 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Richardson
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 4 – Apr 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Aug 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 4 – Mar 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – May 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Aug 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Apr 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 24 – Jan 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Apr 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 11 – Dec 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 75081 is matched to the NOAA station Richardson, TX, 6.6 km away, at 678 ft elevation (48 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richardson, TX (used) | 678 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 21 |
| Dallas Love Fld, TX | 440 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 29 |
| Lavon Dam, TX | 510 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 19 |
| Mckinney Muni Ap, TX | 580 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Richardson
- Garland, TX 75044 · last Mar 10, first Nov 19
- Richardson, TX 75080 · last Mar 7, first Nov 21
- Dallas, TX 75243 · last Mar 2, first Nov 29
- Plano, TX 75026 · last Mar 7, first Nov 21
- Sachse, TX 75048 · last Mar 10, first Nov 19
- Addison, TX 75001 · last Mar 2, first Nov 29
- Rowlett, TX 75030 · last Mar 10, first Nov 19
- Mesquite, TX 75150 · last Mar 2, first Nov 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Richardson, TX?
- For ZIP code 75081, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Richardson, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 29.
- When is the first frost in Richardson, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 75081?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 259 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.