Frost dates for 76120Fort Worth, TX
The average last spring frost in Fort Worth is March 9 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 253 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 9
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 253 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 17 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 25 · Apr 15 | Oct 24 · Nov 8 · Nov 30 | 229 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 19 · Mar 9 · Apr 2 | Oct 31 · Nov 20 · Dec 10 | 253 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 2 · Feb 26 · Mar 16 | Nov 10 · Dec 3 · Dec 25 | 280 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Worth
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 – Jul 31 |
| 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 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – May 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Jul 31 |
| 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 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76120 is matched to the NOAA station Arlington Six Flags, TX, 9.8 km away, at 536 ft elevation (25 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington Six Flags, TX (used) | 536 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 20 |
| Arlington Muni Ap, TX | 630 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 21 |
| Ft Worth Wsfo, TX | 644 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 20 |
| Ft Worth Meacham Fld Naaf, TX | 705 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 24 |
Frost dates near Fort Worth
- Fort Worth, TX 76112 · last Mar 10, first Nov 20
- Arlington, TX 76012 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Hurst, TX 76053 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Bedford, TX 76022 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- North Richland Hills, TX 76180 · last Mar 10, first Nov 20
- Haltom City, TX 76117 · last Mar 10, first Nov 20
- Euless, TX 76040 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Kennedale, TX 76060 · last Mar 9, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Worth, TX?
- For ZIP code 76120, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Arlington Six Flags, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 2.
- When is the first frost in Fort Worth, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 76120?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 253 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.