Frost dates for 75839Elkhart, TX
The average last spring frost in Elkhart is March 23 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 234 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 23
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 234 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 13 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 16 · Apr 4 · Apr 20 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 212 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 23 · Apr 9 | Oct 28 · Nov 9 · Nov 29 | 234 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 9 · Mar 29 | Nov 3 · Nov 20 · Dec 11 | 258 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elkhart
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 20 – Apr 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – May 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Mar 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 75839 is matched to the NOAA station Palestine 2 Ne, TX, 15.7 km away, at 465 ft elevation (71 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palestine 2 Ne, TX (used) | 465 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 9 |
| Palestine 6 Wnw, TX | 383 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 19 |
| Crockett, TX | 347 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 17 |
| Rusk, TX | 695 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 25 |
Frost dates near Elkhart
- Palestine, TX 75801 · last Mar 23, first Nov 9
- Grapeland, TX 75844 · last Mar 13, first Nov 17
- Neches, TX 75779 · last Mar 23, first Nov 9
- Oakwood, TX 75855 · last Mar 12, first Nov 19
- Latexo, TX 75849 · last Mar 13, first Nov 17
- Maydelle, TX 75772 · last Mar 22, first Nov 14
- Montalba, TX 75853 · last Mar 12, first Nov 19
- Tennessee Colony, TX 75880 · last Mar 12, first Nov 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elkhart, TX?
- For ZIP code 75839, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Palestine 2 Ne, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Elkhart, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 75839?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 234 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.