Frost dates for 76470Ranger, TX
The average last spring frost in Ranger is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 222 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 222 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 21 · Apr 10 · Apr 25 | Oct 12 · Oct 27 · Nov 10 | 199 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 30 · Apr 18 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 222 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 12 · Apr 6 | Oct 30 · Nov 13 · Dec 2 | 245 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ranger
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 27 – May 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76470 is matched to the NOAA station Eastland, TX, 15.5 km away, at 1,438 ft elevation (11 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastland, TX (used) | 1,438 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 4 |
| Breckenridge, TX | 1,170 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 3 |
| Lake Palo Pinto, TX | 900 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 10 |
| Stephenville, TX | 1,290 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Ranger
- Olden, TX 76466 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
- Eastland, TX 76448 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
- Strawn, TX 76475 · last Apr 4, first Nov 3
- Desdemona, TX 76445 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Caddo, TX 76429 · last Apr 4, first Nov 3
- Mingus, TX 76463 · last Mar 23, first Nov 10
- Carbon, TX 76435 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
- Gorman, TX 76454 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ranger, TX?
- For ZIP code 76470, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Eastland, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Ranger, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 76470?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 222 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.