Frost dates for 76179Fort Worth, TX
The average last spring frost in Fort Worth is March 13 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 13
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 253 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 2 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 24 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 16 | Oct 23 · Nov 8 · Nov 26 | 228 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 21 · Mar 13 · Apr 2 | Nov 2 · Nov 20 · Dec 9 | 253 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 31 · Feb 28 · Mar 22 | Nov 11 · Dec 2 · Dec 24 | 279 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 10 – Apr 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – May 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 30 – Jan 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76179 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Worth Nature Ctr, TX, 8.2 km away, at 615 ft elevation (97 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Worth Nature Ctr, TX (used) | 615 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 20 |
| Ft Worth Meacham Fld, TX | 687 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 19 |
| Ft Worth Meacham Fld Naaf, TX | 705 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 24 |
| Ft Worth Alliance Ap, TX | 685 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 17 |
Frost dates near Fort Worth
- Fort Worth, TX 76135 · last Mar 13, first Nov 20
- Haslet, TX 76052 · last Mar 12, first Nov 17
- Azle, TX 76020 · last Mar 13, first Nov 20
- Newark, TX 76071 · last Mar 12, first Nov 17
- Keller, TX 76244 · last Mar 12, first Nov 17
- Rhome, TX 76078 · last Mar 12, first Nov 17
- Haltom City, TX 76117 · last Mar 10, first Nov 20
- Arlington, TX 76005 · last Mar 10, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Worth, TX?
- For ZIP code 76179, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Worth Nature Ctr, 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 November 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 76179?
- 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.