Frost dates for 76539Kempner, TX
The average last spring frost in Kempner is March 22 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 238 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 22
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 238 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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 13 · Apr 3 · Apr 21 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 20 | 214 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 22 · Apr 10 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Dec 2 | 238 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 11 · Mar 6 · Mar 31 | Nov 5 · Nov 26 · Dec 17 | 264 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kempner
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 19 – Apr 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – May 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76539 is matched to the NOAA station Lampasas, TX, 16.8 km away, at 1,032 ft elevation (173 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lampasas, TX (used) | 1,032 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 12 |
| Killeen, TX | 815 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 17 |
| Burnet, TX | 1,285 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 11 |
| Evant 1Ssw, TX | 1,245 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 18 |
Frost dates near Kempner
- Copperas Cove, TX 76522 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Lampasas, TX 76550 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Briggs, TX 78608 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Killeen, TX 76549 · last Mar 14, first Nov 17
- Fort Hood, TX 76544 · last Mar 14, first Nov 17
- Florence, TX 76527 · last Mar 6, first Nov 24
- Harker Heights, TX 76548 · last Mar 14, first Nov 20
- Bertram, TX 78605 · last Mar 15, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kempner, TX?
- For ZIP code 76539, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lampasas, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Kempner, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 76539?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 238 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.