Frost dates for 76166Fort Worth, TX
The average last spring frost in Fort Worth is March 11 and the average first fall frost is November 19, giving a typical growing season of about 252 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 11
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 19
- Growing season
- 252 days
Safer after Apr 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (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 5 · Mar 28 · Apr 18 | Oct 24 · Nov 9 · Nov 25 | 226 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 21 · Mar 11 · Apr 3 | Nov 3 · Nov 19 · Dec 6 | 252 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 3 · Feb 28 · Mar 19 | Nov 11 · Dec 1 · Dec 23 | 275 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 8 – Apr 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Jul 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – May 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Jul 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 9 – Dec 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76166 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Worth Meacham Fld, TX, 7.6 km away, at 687 ft elevation (67 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Worth Meacham Fld, TX (used) | 687 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 19 |
| Ft Worth Meacham Fld Naaf, TX | 705 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 24 |
| Ft Worth Wsfo, TX | 644 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 20 |
| Ft Worth Nas, TX | 608 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near Fort Worth
- Fort Worth, TX 76102 · last Mar 10, first Nov 20
- Naval Air Station Jrb, TX 76127 · last Mar 10, first Nov 20
- Arlington, TX 76005 · last Mar 10, first Nov 20
- Haltom City, TX 76117 · 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
- Kennedale, TX 76060 · last Mar 9, first Nov 21
- Crowley, TX 76036 · last Mar 21, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Worth, TX?
- For ZIP code 76166, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Worth Meacham Fld, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 3.
- When is the first frost in Fort Worth, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 19. 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 76166?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 252 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.