Frost dates for 76096Arlington, TX
The average last spring frost in Arlington is March 10 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 255 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 10
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 255 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 4 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 34 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 6 · Mar 26 · Apr 16 | Oct 26 · Nov 9 · Nov 26 | 230 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 21 · Mar 10 · Mar 31 | Nov 4 · Nov 20 · Dec 8 | 255 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 2 · Feb 26 · Mar 17 | Nov 13 · Dec 1 · Dec 23 | 278 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 7 – Apr 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 26 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Mar 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – May 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Apr 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Apr 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 27 – Jan 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Apr 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76096 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Worth Wsfo, TX, 7 km away, at 644 ft elevation (86 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Worth Wsfo, TX (used) | 644 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 20 |
| Ft Worth Meacham Fld Naaf, TX | 705 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 24 |
| Ft Worth Meacham Fld, TX | 687 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 19 |
| Ft Worth Nas, TX | 608 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near Arlington
- Arlington, TX 76005 · last Mar 10, first Nov 20
- Fort Worth, TX 76101 · last Mar 10, first Nov 20
- Haltom City, TX 76117 · last Mar 10, first Nov 20
- Naval Air Station Jrb, TX 76127 · last Mar 10, first Nov 20
- North Richland Hills, TX 76180 · last Mar 10, first Nov 20
- Hurst, TX 76053 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Bedford, TX 76022 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Kennedale, TX 76060 · last Mar 9, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Arlington, TX?
- For ZIP code 76096, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Worth Wsfo, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in Arlington, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 76096?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 255 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.