Frost dates for 76596Gatesville, TX
The average last spring frost in Gatesville is March 19 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 236 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 236 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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 15 · Apr 2 · Apr 22 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 17 | 212 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 19 · Apr 7 | Oct 25 · Nov 9 · Nov 30 | 236 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 5 · Mar 27 | Nov 1 · Nov 20 · Dec 11 | 259 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gatesville
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 16 – Apr 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – May 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Mar 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76596 is matched to the NOAA station Gatesville, TX, 9.6 km away, at 826 ft elevation (106 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gatesville, TX (used) | 826 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 9 |
| Evant 1Ssw, TX | 1,245 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 18 |
| Killeen, TX | 815 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 17 |
| Mcgregor, TX | 723 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 18 |
Frost dates near Gatesville
- Gatesville, TX 76597 · last Mar 19, first Nov 9
- Mound, TX 76558 · last Mar 19, first Nov 9
- Jonesboro, TX 76538 · last Mar 19, first Nov 9
- Purmela, TX 76566 · last Mar 15, first Nov 18
- Flat, TX 76526 · last Mar 19, first Nov 9
- Copperas Cove, TX 76522 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Oglesby, TX 76561 · last Mar 19, first Nov 9
- Evant, TX 76525 · last Mar 15, first Nov 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gatesville, TX?
- For ZIP code 76596, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gatesville, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Gatesville, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 76596?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 236 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.