Frost dates for 78072Tilden, TX
The average last spring frost in Tilden is March 8 and the average first fall frost is November 17, giving a typical growing season of about 254 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 8
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 17
- Growing season
- 254 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 21 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 1 · Mar 20 · Apr 11 | Oct 25 · Nov 8 · Nov 28 | 232 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 8 · Mar 31 | Nov 1 · Nov 17 · Dec 7 | 254 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 26 · Feb 26 · Mar 15 | Nov 10 · Nov 30 · Dec 30 | 280 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Tilden
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 5 – Apr 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Jul 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – May 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Jul 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Apr 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 25 – Jan 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 7 – Dec 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78072 is matched to the NOAA station Cross, TX, 19.8 km away, at 285 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross, TX (used) | 285 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 17 |
| Tilden 4 Sse, TX | 345 ft | Feb 13 | Dec 3 |
| Calliham, TX | 218 ft | Feb 9 | Dec 8 |
| Fowlerton, TX | 300 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 25 |
Frost dates near Tilden
- Calliham, TX 78007 · last Feb 9, first Dec 8
- Fowlerton, TX 78021 · last Mar 3, first Nov 25
- Three Rivers, TX 78071 · last Feb 8, first Dec 6
- Whitsett, TX 78075 · last Feb 8, first Dec 6
- Christine, TX 78012 · last Feb 27, first Nov 28
- George West, TX 78022 · last Feb 8, first Dec 6
- Oakville, TX 78060 · last Feb 8, first Dec 6
- Campbellton, TX 78008 · last Feb 27, first Nov 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tilden, TX?
- For ZIP code 78072, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cross, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in Tilden, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78072?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 254 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.