Frost dates for 76431Chico, TX
The average last spring frost in Chico is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 219 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 219 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 26 · Apr 12 · Apr 30 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 198 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 12 · Apr 1 · Apr 21 | Oct 20 · Nov 4 · Nov 22 | 219 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 18 · Apr 6 | Oct 28 · Nov 13 · Dec 1 | 240 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chico
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 | Mar 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76431 is matched to the NOAA station Alvord 3 N, TX, 11 km away, at 1,010 ft elevation (19 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alvord 3 N, TX (used) | 1,010 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 4 |
| Bridgeport, TX | 769 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 7 |
| Decatur, TX | 970 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 11 |
| Bowie, TX | 1,080 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Chico
- Alvord, TX 76225 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Bridgeport, TX 76426 · last Mar 29, first Nov 7
- Sunset, TX 76270 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Decatur, TX 76234 · last Mar 20, first Nov 11
- Bowie, TX 76230 · last Mar 27, first Nov 9
- Paradise, TX 76073 · last Mar 29, first Nov 7
- Forestburg, TX 76239 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Greenwood, TX 76246 · last Mar 20, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chico, TX?
- For ZIP code 76431, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Alvord 3 N, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Chico, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 76431?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 219 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.