Frost dates for 76002Arlington, TX
The average last spring frost in Arlington is March 9 and the average first fall frost is November 21, giving a typical growing season of about 256 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 9
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 21
- Growing season
- 256 days
Safer after Mar 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 26 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 3 · Mar 24 · Apr 15 | Oct 22 · Nov 8 · Nov 26 | 229 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 9 · Mar 28 | Nov 3 · Nov 21 · Dec 7 | 256 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 29 · Feb 25 · Mar 14 | Nov 14 · Dec 4 · Dec 30 | 285 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Arlington
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 6 – Apr 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Aug 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – May 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Aug 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 26 – Jan 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 11 – Dec 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76002 is matched to the NOAA station Arlington Muni Ap, TX, 4.5 km away, at 630 ft elevation (75 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington Muni Ap, TX (used) | 630 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 21 |
| Joe Pool Lake, TX | 591 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 13 |
| Arlington Six Flags, TX | 536 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 20 |
| Dallas Redbird Ap, TX | 658 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 25 |
Frost dates near Arlington
- Arlington, TX 76018 · last Mar 9, first Nov 21
- Grand Prairie, TX 75054 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Mansfield, TX 76063 · last Mar 9, first Nov 21
- Dallas, TX 75249 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Cedar Hill, TX 75106 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Kennedale, TX 76060 · last Mar 9, first Nov 21
- Duncanville, TX 75137 · last Mar 6, first Nov 25
- Lillian, TX 76061 · last Mar 21, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Arlington, TX?
- For ZIP code 76002, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Arlington Muni Ap, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 28.
- When is the first frost in Arlington, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 76002?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 256 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.