Frost dates for 78014Cotulla, TX
The average last spring frost in Cotulla is February 11 and the average first fall frost is December 3, giving a typical growing season of about 300 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 11
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 3
- Growing season
- 300 days
Safer after Mar 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 15 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 37 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 1 · Mar 1 · Mar 23 | Nov 5 · Nov 23 · Dec 14 | 269 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 5 · Feb 11 · Mar 9 | Nov 15 · Dec 3 · Jan 5 | 300 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 15 · Jan 20 · Feb 28 | Nov 25 · Dec 19 · Jan 24 | 337 days | 82% |
Planting calendar for Cotulla
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 11 – Mar 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Aug 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 11 – Feb 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 28 – Feb 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Aug 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Feb 27 – Apr 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Feb 27 – Sep 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Feb 27 – Aug 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 6 – Mar 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Nov 30 – Dec 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 24 – Jan 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Sep 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 14 – Jan 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Mar 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Oct 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Feb 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 9 – Oct 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Mar 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Oct 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 23 – Dec 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78014 is matched to the NOAA station Cotulla La Salle Co Ap, TX, 2.4 km away, at 476 ft elevation (76 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotulla La Salle Co Ap, TX (used) | 476 ft | Feb 11 | Dec 3 |
| Dilley, TX | 550 ft | Feb 16 | Dec 6 |
| Fowlerton, TX | 300 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 25 |
| Encinal, TX | 545 ft | Feb 21 | Dec 9 |
Frost dates near Cotulla
- Artesia Wells, TX 78001 · last Feb 11, first Dec 3
- Dilley, TX 78017 · last Feb 16, first Dec 6
- Catarina, TX 78836 · last Mar 5, first Nov 22
- Big Wells, TX 78830 · last Feb 10, first Dec 10
- Fowlerton, TX 78021 · last Mar 3, first Nov 25
- Encinal, TX 78019 · last Feb 21, first Dec 9
- Asherton, TX 78827 · last Mar 5, first Nov 22
- Pearsall, TX 78061 · last Feb 16, first Dec 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cotulla, TX?
- For ZIP code 78014, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cotulla La Salle Co Ap, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 9.
- When is the first frost in Cotulla, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78014?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 300 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.