Frost dates for 76869Pontotoc, TX
The average last spring frost in Pontotoc is March 18 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 241 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 18
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 241 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 16 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 12 · Apr 3 · Apr 20 | Oct 20 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 214 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 18 · Apr 7 | Oct 30 · Nov 13 · Dec 1 | 241 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 9 · Mar 4 · Mar 22 | Nov 7 · Nov 26 · Dec 17 | 268 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Pontotoc
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 15 – Apr 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Jan 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – May 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76869 is matched to the NOAA station Mason, TX, 25.5 km away, at 1,531 ft elevation (5 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mason, TX (used) | 1,531 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 13 |
| Llano, TX | 1,020 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 10 |
| Brady, TX | 1,711 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 15 |
| San Saba 7Nw, TX | 1,330 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Pontotoc
- Fredonia, TX 76842 · last Mar 18, first Nov 13
- Art, TX 76820 · last Mar 18, first Nov 13
- Valley Spring, TX 76885 · last Mar 20, first Nov 10
- Voca, TX 76887 · last Mar 14, first Nov 15
- Castell, TX 76831 · last Mar 20, first Nov 10
- Mason, TX 76856 · last Mar 18, first Nov 13
- Cherokee, TX 76832 · last Mar 16, first Nov 13
- San Saba, TX 76877 · last Mar 16, first Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pontotoc, TX?
- For ZIP code 76869, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mason, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Pontotoc, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 76869?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 241 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.