Frost dates for 77856Franklin, TX
The average last spring frost in Franklin is February 28 and the average first fall frost is November 28, giving a typical growing season of about 277 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 28
- Growing season
- 277 days
Safer after Mar 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 6 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 33 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 21 · Mar 13 · Apr 4 | Nov 1 · Nov 17 · Dec 6 | 248 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 26 · Feb 28 · Mar 21 | Nov 6 · Nov 28 · Dec 25 | 277 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 5 · Feb 6 · Mar 9 | Nov 17 · Dec 14 · Jan 13 | 310 days | 97% |
Planting calendar for Franklin
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 28 – Apr 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Sep 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 17 – Jan 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Sep 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Apr 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Oct 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 4 – Oct 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Oct 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 18 – Dec 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 77856 is matched to the NOAA station Franklin, TX, 4.5 km away, at 467 ft elevation (57 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin, TX (used) | 467 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 28 |
| Cameron, TX | 364 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 23 |
| College Stn, TX | 305 ft | Feb 27 | Nov 30 |
| Marlin, TX | 407 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Franklin
- New Baden, TX 77870 · last Feb 28, first Nov 28
- Calvert, TX 77837 · last Mar 6, first Nov 23
- Hearne, TX 77859 · last Feb 27, first Nov 30
- Wheelock, TX 77882 · last Feb 28, first Nov 28
- Bremond, TX 76629 · last Mar 21, first Nov 9
- Bryan, TX 77808 · last Feb 27, first Nov 30
- Mumford, TX 77867 · last Feb 27, first Nov 30
- Gause, TX 77857 · last Mar 6, first Nov 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Franklin, TX?
- For ZIP code 77856, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Franklin, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 21.
- When is the first frost in Franklin, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 77856?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 277 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.