Frost dates for 76543Killeen, TX
The average last spring frost in Killeen is March 14 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 251 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 14
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 251 days
Safer after Apr 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 25 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 27 · Apr 19 | Oct 21 · Nov 8 · Nov 28 | 226 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 14 · Apr 4 | Oct 29 · Nov 20 · Dec 9 | 251 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 31 · Mar 1 · Mar 21 | Nov 10 · Dec 1 · Dec 28 | 277 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 31 |
| 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 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – May 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Jul 31 |
| 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 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76543 is matched to the NOAA station Stillhouse Hollow Dam, TX, 15.8 km away, at 706 ft elevation (114 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stillhouse Hollow Dam, TX (used) | 706 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 20 |
| Killeen, TX | 815 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 17 |
| Gatesville, TX | 826 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 9 |
| Mcgregor, TX | 723 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 18 |
Frost dates near Killeen
- Killeen, TX 76540 · last Mar 14, first Nov 17
- Nolanville, TX 76559 · last Mar 14, first Nov 20
- Fort Hood, TX 76544 · last Mar 14, first Nov 17
- Harker Heights, TX 76548 · last Mar 14, first Nov 20
- Heidenheimer, TX 76533 · last Mar 14, first Nov 20
- Temple, TX 76508 · last Mar 14, first Nov 20
- Belton, TX 76513 · 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 76543, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Stillhouse Hollow Dam, 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 20. 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 76543?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 251 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.