Frost dates for 76701Waco, TX
The average last spring frost in Waco is March 9 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 256 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 9
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 256 days
Safer after Apr 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 2 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 23 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 2 · Mar 24 · Apr 13 | Oct 26 · Nov 10 · Nov 27 | 231 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 9 · Apr 4 | Nov 2 · Nov 20 · Dec 9 | 256 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 27 · Feb 25 · Mar 21 | Nov 12 · Dec 3 · Jan 1 | 282 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Waco
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 6 – Apr 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – May 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 26 – Jan 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76701 is matched to the NOAA station Waco Dam, TX, 9 km away, at 495 ft elevation (46 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waco Dam, TX (used) | 495 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 20 |
| Waco Rgnl Ap, TX | 500 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 15 |
| Mcgregor, TX | 723 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 18 |
| Marlin, TX | 407 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Waco
- Waco, TX 76702 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Woodway, TX 76712 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Hewitt, TX 76643 · last Mar 15, first Nov 18
- Elm Mott, TX 76640 · last Mar 15, first Nov 15
- Lorena, TX 76655 · last Mar 15, first Nov 18
- Ross, TX 76684 · last Mar 15, first Nov 15
- Axtell, TX 76624 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Riesel, TX 76682 · last Mar 21, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waco, TX?
- For ZIP code 76701, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Waco Dam, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 4.
- When is the first frost in Waco, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 76701?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 256 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.