Frost dates for 76687Thornton, TX
The average last spring frost in Thornton is March 13 and the average first fall frost is November 22, giving a typical growing season of about 251 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 13
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 22
- Growing season
- 251 days
Safer after Apr 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 4 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 26 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 29 · Apr 15 | Oct 28 · Nov 10 · Nov 29 | 227 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 21 · Mar 13 · Apr 4 | Nov 4 · Nov 22 · Dec 10 | 251 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 28 · Feb 28 · Mar 24 | Nov 11 · Dec 4 · Dec 30 | 281 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Thornton
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 10 – Apr 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – May 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 30 – Jan 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 12 – Dec 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76687 is matched to the NOAA station Mexia, TX, 23.9 km away, at 503 ft elevation (2 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexia, TX (used) | 503 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 22 |
| Marlin, TX | 407 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 9 |
| Franklin, TX | 467 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 28 |
| Fairfield 3W, TX | 432 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Thornton
- Groesbeck, TX 76642 · last Mar 13, first Nov 22
- Kosse, TX 76653 · last Mar 21, first Nov 9
- Donie, TX 75838 · last Mar 13, first Nov 22
- Jewett, TX 75846 · last Mar 20, first Nov 12
- Mexia, TX 76667 · last Mar 13, first Nov 22
- Marquez, TX 77865 · last Mar 20, first Nov 12
- Bremond, TX 76629 · last Mar 21, first Nov 9
- Teague, TX 75860 · last Mar 16, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Thornton, TX?
- For ZIP code 76687, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mexia, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 4.
- When is the first frost in Thornton, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 76687?
- 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.