Frost dates for 78377Refugio, TX
The average last spring frost in Refugio is February 27 and the average first fall frost is December 2, giving a typical growing season of about 283 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 27
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 2
- Growing season
- 283 days
Safer after Mar 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 10 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 30 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 17 · Mar 10 · Mar 31 | Nov 2 · Nov 21 · Dec 11 | 258 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 26 · Feb 27 · Mar 19 | Nov 10 · Dec 2 · Jan 2 | 283 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 29 · Feb 7 · Mar 9 | Nov 23 · Dec 18 · Feb 1 | 316 days | 91% |
Planting calendar for Refugio
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 27 – Apr 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Aug 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 27 – Feb 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Mar 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Sep 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Aug 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 16 – Jan 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Sep 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 30 – Jan 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Apr 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Oct 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 8 – Oct 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Oct 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 22 – Dec 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78377 is matched to the NOAA station Refugio 2 Nw, TX, 2.2 km away, at 45 ft elevation (8 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refugio 2 Nw, TX (used) | 45 ft | Feb 27 | Dec 2 |
| Refugio 3 Sw, TX | 54 ft | Feb 15 | Dec 5 |
| Welder Wildlife Foundation, TX | 50 ft | Feb 24 | Dec 1 |
| Rockport Aransas Co Ap, TX | 22 ft | Jan 23 | Jan 1 |
Frost dates near Refugio
- Woodsboro, TX 78393 · last Feb 15, first Dec 5
- Bayside, TX 78340 · last Jan 23, first Jan 1
- Fulton, TX 78358 · last Jan 23, first Jan 1
- Mcfaddin, TX 77973 · last Feb 17, first Dec 8
- Rockport, TX 78382 · last Jan 31, first Dec 25
- Berclair, TX 78107 · last Feb 17, first Dec 8
- Sinton, TX 78387 · last Feb 1, first Dec 17
- Taft, TX 78390 · last Feb 24, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Refugio, TX?
- For ZIP code 78377, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Refugio 2 Nw, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 19.
- When is the first frost in Refugio, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 2. 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 78377?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 283 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.