Frost dates for 76238Era, TX
The average last spring frost in Era is March 19 and the average first fall frost is November 14, giving a typical growing season of about 242 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 14
- Growing season
- 242 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 15 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 12 · Apr 2 · Apr 21 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 21 | 217 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 19 · Apr 6 | Oct 31 · Nov 14 · Dec 2 | 242 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 5 · Mar 25 | Nov 8 · Nov 28 · Dec 15 | 265 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Era
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 16 – Apr 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – May 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Mar 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 4 – Dec 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76238 is matched to the NOAA station Gainesville 5 Ene, TX, 34.5 km away, at 870 ft elevation (9 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville 5 Ene, TX (used) | 870 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 14 |
| Alvord 3 N, TX | 1,010 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 4 |
| Decatur, TX | 970 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 11 |
| Denton Muni Ap, TX | 642 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near Era
- Rosston, TX 76263 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Greenwood, TX 76246 · last Mar 20, first Nov 11
- Slidell, TX 76267 · last Mar 20, first Nov 11
- Valley View, TX 76272 · last Mar 19, first Nov 14
- Myra, TX 76253 · last Mar 19, first Nov 14
- Muenster, TX 76252 · last Mar 19, first Nov 14
- Forestburg, TX 76239 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Lindsay, TX 76250 · last Mar 19, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Era, TX?
- For ZIP code 76238, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gainesville 5 Ene, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Era, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 14. 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 76238?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 242 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.