Frost dates for 78836Catarina, TX
The average last spring frost in Catarina is March 5 and the average first fall frost is November 22, giving a typical growing season of about 265 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 22
- Growing season
- 265 days
Safer after Mar 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 6 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 26 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 25 · Mar 18 · Apr 8 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Nov 30 | 241 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 10 · Mar 5 · Mar 30 | Nov 6 · Nov 22 · Dec 11 | 265 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 19 · Feb 20 · Mar 15 | Nov 16 · Dec 5 · Jan 3 | 292 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Catarina
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 2 |
| 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 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – May 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 2 |
| 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 23 – Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 12 – Dec 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78836 is matched to the NOAA station Carrizo Springs 3S, TX, 31.6 km away, at 613 ft elevation (134 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrizo Springs 3S, TX (used) | 613 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 22 |
| Cotulla La Salle Co Ap, TX | 476 ft | Feb 11 | Dec 3 |
| Crystal City, TX | 580 ft | Feb 10 | Dec 10 |
| Encinal, TX | 545 ft | Feb 21 | Dec 9 |
Frost dates near Catarina
- Asherton, TX 78827 · last Mar 5, first Nov 22
- Big Wells, TX 78830 · last Feb 10, first Dec 10
- Artesia Wells, TX 78001 · last Feb 11, first Dec 3
- Carrizo Springs, TX 78834 · last Mar 5, first Nov 22
- Cotulla, TX 78014 · last Feb 11, first Dec 3
- Encinal, TX 78019 · last Feb 21, first Dec 9
- Crystal City, TX 78839 · last Feb 10, first Dec 10
- Dilley, TX 78017 · last Feb 16, first Dec 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Catarina, TX?
- For ZIP code 78836, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Carrizo Springs 3S, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 30.
- When is the first frost in Catarina, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78836?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 265 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.