Frost dates for 78019Encinal, TX
The average last spring frost in Encinal is February 21 and the average first fall frost is December 9, giving a typical growing season of about 296 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 21
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 9
- Growing season
- 296 days
Safer after Mar 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 43 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 6 · Mar 30 | Nov 7 · Nov 26 · Dec 14 | 264 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 16 · Feb 21 · Mar 16 | Nov 21 · Dec 9 · Jan 8 | 296 days | 98% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 24 · Jan 31 · Mar 5 | Dec 5 · Dec 27 · Feb 3 | 334 days | 84% |
Planting calendar for Encinal
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 21 – Mar 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 9 – Aug 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 21 – Feb 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Aug 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Sep 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Aug 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 10 – Jan 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Feb 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 8 – Sep 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 24 – Jan 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Sep 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Apr 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Feb 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 29 – Dec 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78019 is matched to the NOAA station Encinal, TX, 7.5 km away, at 545 ft elevation (13 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encinal, TX (used) | 545 ft | Feb 21 | Dec 9 |
| Cotulla La Salle Co Ap, TX | 476 ft | Feb 11 | Dec 3 |
| Laredo 2, TX | 430 ft | Jan 25 | Dec 17 |
| Laredo Afb, TX | 505 ft | Jan 20 | Dec 25 |
Frost dates near Encinal
- Artesia Wells, TX 78001 · last Feb 11, first Dec 3
- Catarina, TX 78836 · last Mar 5, first Nov 22
- Cotulla, TX 78014 · last Feb 11, first Dec 3
- Laredo, TX 78045 · last Jan 25, first Dec 17
- Asherton, TX 78827 · 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
- Dilley, TX 78017 · last Feb 16, first Dec 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Encinal, TX?
- For ZIP code 78019, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Encinal, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 16.
- When is the first frost in Encinal, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78019?
- 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.