Frost dates for 77840College Station, TX
The average last spring frost in College Station is February 27 and the average first fall frost is November 30, giving a typical growing season of about 278 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 27
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 30
- Growing season
- 278 days
Safer after Mar 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 10 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 34 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) | Feb 22 · Mar 11 · Apr 2 | Nov 1 · Nov 17 · Dec 5 | 250 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 31 · Feb 27 · Mar 18 | Nov 10 · Nov 30 · Dec 26 | 278 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 6 · Feb 7 · Mar 9 | Nov 23 · Dec 18 · Jan 22 | 316 days | 95% |
Planting calendar for College Station
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 | Jan 27 – Apr 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Aug 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 27 – Feb 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Mar 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Sep 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Aug 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 16 – Jan 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 30 – Jan 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Apr 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Oct 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 6 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Oct 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 20 – Dec 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 77840 is matched to the NOAA station College Stn, TX, 5.3 km away, at 305 ft elevation (26 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Stn, TX (used) | 305 ft | Feb 27 | Nov 30 |
| Washington Sp, TX | 215 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 19 |
| Somerville Dam, TX | 263 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 9 |
| Brenham, TX | 313 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 30 |
Frost dates near College Station
- College Station, TX 77841 · last Feb 27, first Nov 30
- Bryan, TX 77805 · last Feb 27, first Nov 30
- Wellborn, TX 77881 · last Feb 27, first Nov 30
- Millican, TX 77866 · last Mar 7, first Nov 19
- Kurten, TX 77862 · last Feb 27, first Nov 30
- Snook, TX 77878 · last Mar 18, first Nov 9
- Iola, TX 77861 · last Mar 16, first Nov 11
- Mumford, TX 77867 · last Feb 27, first Nov 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in College Station, TX?
- For ZIP code 77840, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the College Stn, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 18.
- When is the first frost in College Station, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 77840?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 278 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.