Frost dates for 76950Sonora, TX
The average last spring frost in Sonora is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 221 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 221 days
Safer after Apr 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (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 26 · Apr 13 · Apr 29 | Oct 12 · Oct 28 · Nov 13 | 199 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Apr 1 · Apr 20 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 24 | 221 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 13 · Apr 7 | Oct 31 · Nov 16 · Dec 5 | 246 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sonora
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 | Mar 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 76950 is matched to the NOAA station Sonora, TX, 3.6 km away, at 2,138 ft elevation (90 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonora, TX (used) | 2,138 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 6 |
| Eldorado, TX | 2,440 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 10 |
| Ozona 22Se, TX | 2,120 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 6 |
| Ozona, TX | 2,345 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Sonora
- Eldorado, TX 76936 · last Mar 22, first Nov 10
- Roosevelt, TX 76874 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
- Fort Mc Kavett, TX 76841 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
- Ozona, TX 76943 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- Rocksprings, TX 78880 · last Mar 8, first Nov 25
- Telegraph, TX 76883 · last Apr 8, first Oct 28
- Christoval, TX 76935 · last Mar 22, first Nov 10
- Knickerbocker, TX 76939 · last Mar 22, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sonora, TX?
- For ZIP code 76950, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sonora, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 20.
- When is the first frost in Sonora, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 76950?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 221 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.