Frost dates for 76540Killeen, TX
The average last spring frost in Killeen is March 14 and the average first fall frost is November 17, giving a typical growing season of about 247 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 14
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 17
- Growing season
- 247 days
Safer after Apr 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 21 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 7 · Mar 31 · Apr 19 | Oct 24 · Nov 7 · Nov 26 | 223 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 14 · Apr 4 | Nov 1 · Nov 17 · Dec 6 | 247 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 5 · Mar 2 · Mar 22 | Nov 8 · Nov 30 · Dec 22 | 271 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Killeen
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 11 – Apr 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Jul 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Mar 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – May 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Jul 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Apr 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 7 – Dec 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76540 is matched to the NOAA station Killeen, TX, 6.7 km away, at 815 ft elevation (5 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen, TX (used) | 815 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 17 |
| Stillhouse Hollow Dam, TX | 706 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 20 |
| Gatesville, TX | 826 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 9 |
| Lampasas, TX | 1,032 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Killeen
- Killeen, TX 76547 · last Mar 14, first Nov 17
- Fort Hood, TX 76544 · last Mar 14, first Nov 17
- Nolanville, TX 76559 · last Mar 14, first Nov 20
- Harker Heights, TX 76548 · last Mar 14, first Nov 20
- Copperas Cove, TX 76522 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Heidenheimer, TX 76533 · last Mar 14, first Nov 20
- Temple, TX 76508 · last Mar 14, first Nov 20
- Flat, TX 76526 · last Mar 19, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Killeen, TX?
- For ZIP code 76540, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Killeen, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 4.
- When is the first frost in Killeen, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 76540?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 247 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.