Frost dates for 78632Harwood, TX
The average last spring frost in Harwood is March 5 and the average first fall frost is November 23, giving a typical growing season of about 263 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 23
- Growing season
- 263 days
Safer after Apr 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 20 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 26 · Mar 22 · Apr 14 | Oct 27 · Nov 10 · Dec 1 | 237 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 7 · Mar 5 · Apr 3 | Nov 3 · Nov 23 · Dec 14 | 263 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 11 · Feb 17 · Mar 13 | Nov 13 · Dec 6 · Jan 7 | 297 days | 98% |
Planting calendar for Harwood
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 2 – Apr 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – May 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 13 – Dec 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78632 is matched to the NOAA station Luling, TX, 16.2 km away, at 400 ft elevation (36 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luling, TX (used) | 400 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 23 |
| Gonzales 2S, TX | 296 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 28 |
| Cedar Creek 5 S, TX | 436 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 19 |
| Cheapside, TX | 365 ft | Feb 21 | Dec 1 |
Frost dates near Harwood
- Ottine, TX 78658 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Luling, TX 78648 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Gonzales, TX 78629 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- Waelder, TX 78959 · last Mar 2, first Nov 27
- Belmont, TX 78604 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Prairie Lea, TX 78661 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Cost, TX 78614 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- Fentress, TX 78622 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Harwood, TX?
- For ZIP code 78632, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Luling, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 3.
- When is the first frost in Harwood, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78632?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 263 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.