Frost dates for 76548Harker Heights, TX
The average last spring frost in Harker Heights 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 20 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 Harker Heights
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 76548 is matched to the NOAA station Stillhouse Hollow Dam, TX, 8 km away, at 706 ft elevation (73 ft higher 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 |
| Georgetown Lake, TX | 874 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 24 |
| Gatesville, TX | 826 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Harker Heights
- Nolanville, TX 76559 · last Mar 14, first Nov 20
- Killeen, TX 76542 · last Mar 14, first Nov 20
- Temple, TX 76508 · last Mar 14, first Nov 20
- Heidenheimer, TX 76533 · last Mar 14, first Nov 20
- Salado, TX 76571 · last Mar 14, first Nov 20
- Belton, TX 76513 · last Mar 14, first Nov 20
- Fort Hood, TX 76544 · last Mar 14, first Nov 17
- Jarrell, TX 76537 · last Mar 6, first Nov 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Harker Heights, TX?
- For ZIP code 76548, 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 Harker Heights, 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 76548?
- 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.