Frost dates for 78851Dryden, TX
The average last spring frost in Dryden is March 1 and the average first fall frost is November 28, giving a typical growing season of about 271 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 28
- Growing season
- 271 days
Safer after Mar 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 11 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 33 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 23 · Mar 13 · Apr 2 | Oct 30 · Nov 16 · Dec 1 | 245 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 1 · Mar 21 | Nov 11 · Nov 28 · Dec 14 | 271 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 11 · Feb 11 · Mar 7 | Nov 22 · Dec 9 · Jan 5 | 304 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Dryden
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 29 – Apr 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Aug 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Mar 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Aug 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – May 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Sep 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Aug 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 18 – Jan 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Sep 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Jan 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Apr 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Oct 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Mar 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 4 – Oct 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Oct 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 18 – Dec 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78851 is matched to the NOAA station Dryden Terrell Co Ap, TX, 9.5 km away, at 2,322 ft elevation (212 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dryden Terrell Co Ap, TX (used) | 2,322 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 28 |
| Sanderson, TX | 2,788 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 11 |
| Pandale 1 N, TX | 1,689 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 11 |
| Langtry, TX | 1,290 ft | Feb 27 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near Dryden
- Sanderson, TX 79848 · last Mar 11, first Nov 11
- Langtry, TX 78871 · last Feb 27, first Nov 27
- Sheffield, TX 79781 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Comstock, TX 78837 · last Mar 10, first Nov 16
- Iraan, TX 79744 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Marathon, TX 79842 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Ozona, TX 76943 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- Fort Stockton, TX 79735 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dryden, TX?
- For ZIP code 78851, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dryden Terrell Co Ap, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 21.
- When is the first frost in Dryden, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78851?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 271 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.