Frost dates for 77861Iola, TX
The average last spring frost in Iola is March 16 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 240 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 16
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 240 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 14 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 9 · Mar 31 · Apr 20 | Oct 18 · Nov 2 · Nov 18 | 217 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 16 · Apr 7 | Oct 25 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 240 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 31 · Mar 2 · Mar 25 | Nov 2 · Nov 20 · Dec 18 | 268 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Iola
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 13 – Apr 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Jan 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – May 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 77861 is matched to the NOAA station Madisonville, TX, 28.2 km away, at 252 ft elevation (30 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madisonville, TX (used) | 252 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 11 |
| College Stn, TX | 305 ft | Feb 27 | Nov 30 |
| Washington Sp, TX | 215 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 19 |
| Huntsville Muni Ap, TX | 366 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 26 |
Frost dates near Iola
- Bedias, TX 77831 · last Mar 16, first Nov 11
- Kurten, TX 77862 · last Feb 27, first Nov 30
- Roans Prairie, TX 77875 · last Mar 2, first Nov 26
- North Zulch, TX 77872 · last Mar 16, first Nov 11
- Anderson, TX 77830 · last Mar 7, first Nov 19
- Bryan, TX 77808 · last Feb 27, first Nov 30
- Shiro, TX 77876 · last Mar 2, first Nov 26
- Richards, TX 77873 · last Mar 2, first Nov 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Iola, TX?
- For ZIP code 77861, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Madisonville, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Iola, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 77861?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 240 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.