Frost dates for 78390Taft, TX
The average last spring frost in Taft is February 24 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 283 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 24
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 283 days
Safer after Mar 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 9 (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 14 · Mar 8 · Mar 31 | Nov 1 · Nov 18 · Dec 9 | 256 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 18 · Feb 24 · Mar 15 | Nov 9 · Dec 1 · Jan 1 | 283 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 24 · Jan 31 · Mar 5 | Nov 22 · Dec 18 · Jan 24 | 323 days | 90% |
Planting calendar for Taft
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 24 – Apr 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 24 – Feb 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 10 – Mar 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Apr 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – Apr 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 13 – Jan 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 27 – Jan 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Apr 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Mar 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78390 is matched to the NOAA station Welder Wildlife Foundation, TX, 15.4 km away, at 50 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welder Wildlife Foundation, TX (used) | 50 ft | Feb 24 | Dec 1 |
| Sinton, TX | 48 ft | Feb 1 | Dec 17 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 45 ft | Jan 28 | Dec 21 |
| Corpus Christi Nws, TX | 44 ft | Jan 31 | Dec 22 |
Frost dates near Taft
- Gregory, TX 78359 · last Jan 16, first Jan 5
- Portland, TX 78374 · last Jan 28, first Dec 21
- Sinton, TX 78387 · last Feb 1, first Dec 17
- Corpus Christi, TX 78402 · last Jan 28, first Dec 21
- Odem, TX 78370 · last Feb 1, first Dec 17
- Aransas Pass, TX 78335 · last Jan 16, first Jan 5
- Ingleside, TX 78362 · last Jan 16, first Jan 5
- Bayside, TX 78340 · last Jan 23, first Jan 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Taft, TX?
- For ZIP code 78390, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Welder Wildlife Foundation, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 15.
- When is the first frost in Taft, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78390?
- 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.