Frost dates for 76567Rockdale, TX
The average last spring frost in Rockdale is March 6 and the average first fall frost is November 23, giving a typical growing season of about 261 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 6
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 23
- Growing season
- 261 days
Safer after Mar 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 27 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) | Feb 27 · Mar 18 · Apr 8 | Oct 27 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 237 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 7 · Mar 6 · Mar 27 | Nov 3 · Nov 23 · Dec 20 | 261 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 21 · Feb 23 · Mar 15 | Nov 12 · Dec 6 · Jan 10 | 292 days | 98% |
Planting calendar for Rockdale
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 3 – Apr 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Aug 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 3 – Mar 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – May 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Aug 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Apr 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 23 – Jan 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Apr 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 13 – Dec 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76567 is matched to the NOAA station Cameron, TX, 21.2 km away, at 364 ft elevation (89 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron, TX (used) | 364 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 23 |
| Lexington, TX | 423 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 21 |
| Granger Dam, TX | 555 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 22 |
| Taylor 1Nw, TX | 571 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 21 |
Frost dates near Rockdale
- Milano, TX 76556 · last Mar 6, first Nov 23
- Thorndale, TX 76577 · last Mar 5, first Nov 22
- Cameron, TX 76520 · last Mar 6, first Nov 23
- Chriesman, TX 77838 · last Mar 5, first Nov 21
- Lexington, TX 78947 · last Mar 5, first Nov 21
- Buckholts, TX 76518 · last Mar 6, first Nov 23
- Thrall, TX 76578 · last Mar 8, first Nov 21
- Davilla, TX 76523 · last Mar 5, first Nov 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rockdale, TX?
- For ZIP code 76567, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cameron, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 27.
- When is the first frost in Rockdale, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 76567?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 261 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.