Frost dates for 78017Dilley, TX
The average last spring frost in Dilley is February 16 and the average first fall frost is December 6, giving a typical growing season of about 296 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 16
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 6
- Growing season
- 296 days
Safer after Mar 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 16 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 41 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 6 · Mar 2 · Mar 22 | Nov 5 · Nov 23 · Dec 11 | 266 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 14 · Feb 16 · Mar 12 | Nov 16 · Dec 6 · Jan 3 | 296 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 19 · Jan 26 · Mar 1 | Dec 1 · Dec 23 · Feb 4 | 336 days | 83% |
Planting calendar for Dilley
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 16 – Mar 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 4 – Aug 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 16 – Feb 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 2 – Mar 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Aug 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 4 – Apr 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 4 – Sep 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 4 – Aug 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 11 – Apr 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Mar 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 5 – Jan 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Feb 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 5 – Sep 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 19 – Jan 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Apr 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Oct 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 12 – Oct 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Mar 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Oct 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Feb 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 26 – Dec 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78017 is matched to the NOAA station Dilley, TX, 0.9 km away, at 550 ft elevation (12 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dilley, TX (used) | 550 ft | Feb 16 | Dec 6 |
| Cotulla La Salle Co Ap, TX | 476 ft | Feb 11 | Dec 3 |
| Fowlerton, TX | 300 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 25 |
| Charlotte 5 Nnw, TX | 441 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 28 |
Frost dates near Dilley
- Pearsall, TX 78061 · last Feb 16, first Dec 6
- Cotulla, TX 78014 · last Feb 11, first Dec 3
- Fowlerton, TX 78021 · last Mar 3, first Nov 25
- Big Wells, TX 78830 · last Feb 10, first Dec 10
- Moore, TX 78057 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- Artesia Wells, TX 78001 · last Feb 11, first Dec 3
- Charlotte, TX 78011 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- Batesville, TX 78829 · last Feb 10, first Dec 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dilley, TX?
- For ZIP code 78017, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dilley, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 12.
- When is the first frost in Dilley, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78017?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 296 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.