Frost dates for 76708Waco, 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 24 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 76708 is matched to the NOAA station Waco Dam, TX, 4.5 km away, at 495 ft elevation (46 ft lower 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 |
| Whitney Dam, TX | 574 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Waco
- Waco, TX 76707 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Woodway, TX 76712 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Elm Mott, TX 76640 · last Mar 15, first Nov 15
- Hewitt, TX 76643 · last Mar 15, first Nov 18
- China Spring, TX 76633 · last Mar 15, first Nov 15
- Ross, TX 76684 · last Mar 15, first Nov 15
- Lorena, TX 76655 · last Mar 15, first Nov 18
- Crawford, TX 76638 · last Mar 15, first Nov 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waco, TX?
- For ZIP code 76708, 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 76708?
- 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.