Frost dates for 78140Nixon, TX
The average last spring frost in Nixon is March 7 and the average first fall frost is November 22, giving a typical growing season of about 260 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 7
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 22
- Growing season
- 260 days
Safer after Mar 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 2 (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) | Feb 28 · Mar 21 · Apr 12 | Oct 26 · Nov 11 · Nov 30 | 233 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 9 · Mar 7 · Mar 30 | Nov 2 · Nov 22 · Dec 11 | 260 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 17 · Feb 20 · Mar 14 | Nov 13 · Dec 4 · Jan 5 | 293 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Nixon
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 4 – Apr 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Aug 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 4 – Mar 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – May 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Aug 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Apr 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 24 – Jan 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Apr 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 12 – Dec 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78140 is matched to the NOAA station Nixon, TX, 2.5 km away, at 340 ft elevation (25 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nixon, TX (used) | 340 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 22 |
| Cheapside, TX | 365 ft | Feb 21 | Dec 1 |
| Gonzales 2S, TX | 296 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 28 |
| Luling, TX | 400 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 23 |
Frost dates near Nixon
- Pandora, TX 78143 · last Mar 7, first Nov 22
- Leesville, TX 78122 · last Mar 7, first Nov 22
- Smiley, TX 78159 · last Mar 7, first Nov 22
- Stockdale, TX 78160 · last Mar 7, first Nov 22
- Wrightsboro, TX 78677 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- Jbsa Randolph, TX 78150 · last Mar 7, first Nov 22
- Cost, TX 78614 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- Belmont, TX 78604 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Nixon, TX?
- For ZIP code 78140, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Nixon, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 30.
- When is the first frost in Nixon, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78140?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 260 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.