Frost dates for 78376Realitos, TX
The average last spring frost in Realitos is February 20 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 286 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 20
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 286 days
Safer after Mar 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 10 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 35 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 5 · Mar 28 | Nov 2 · Nov 18 · Dec 11 | 259 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 18 · Feb 20 · Mar 14 | Nov 10 · Dec 1 · Jan 1 | 286 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 19 · Jan 29 · Mar 5 | Nov 19 · Dec 18 · Jan 27 | 323 days | 89% |
Planting calendar for Realitos
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 20 – Mar 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 8 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 20 – Feb 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Mar 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Apr 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 9 – Jan 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Feb 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 23 – Jan 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Apr 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Feb 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78376 is matched to the NOAA station Benavides 2, TX, 22.1 km away, at 380 ft elevation (63 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benavides 2, TX (used) | 380 ft | Feb 20 | Dec 1 |
| Hebbronville, TX | 580 ft | Feb 4 | Dec 12 |
| Bruni, TX | 771 ft | Jan 30 | Dec 18 |
| Falfurrias, TX | 139 ft | Feb 25 | Dec 1 |
Frost dates near Realitos
- Concepcion, TX 78349 · last Feb 20, first Dec 1
- Hebbronville, TX 78361 · last Feb 4, first Dec 12
- Benavides, TX 78341 · last Feb 20, first Dec 1
- Bruni, TX 78344 · last Jan 30, first Dec 18
- Premont, TX 78375 · last Feb 25, first Dec 1
- Falfurrias, TX 78355 · last Feb 25, first Dec 1
- Oilton, TX 78371 · last Jan 30, first Dec 18
- San Diego, TX 78384 · last Feb 20, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Realitos, TX?
- For ZIP code 78376, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Benavides 2, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 14.
- When is the first frost in Realitos, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78376?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 286 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.