Frost dates for 78860El Indio, TX
The average last spring frost in El Indio is February 19 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 287 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 19
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 287 days
Safer after Mar 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 14 (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 12 · Mar 2 · Mar 20 | Nov 4 · Nov 20 · Dec 5 | 262 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 22 · Feb 19 · Mar 10 | Nov 14 · Dec 1 · Dec 23 | 287 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 25 · Jan 31 · Mar 1 | Nov 26 · Dec 14 · Jan 20 | 324 days | 94% |
Planting calendar for El Indio
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 19 – Mar 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 7 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 19 – Feb 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Apr 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Apr 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 8 – Jan 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Feb 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Apr 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Feb 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78860 is matched to the NOAA station Eagle Pass 3N, TX, 31.8 km away, at 812 ft elevation (77 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Pass 3N, TX (used) | 812 ft | Feb 19 | Dec 1 |
| Carrizo Springs 3S, TX | 613 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 22 |
| Crystal City, TX | 580 ft | Feb 10 | Dec 10 |
| Brackettville, TX | 1,120 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 24 |
Frost dates near El Indio
- Eagle Pass, TX 78853 · last Feb 19, first Dec 1
- Carrizo Springs, TX 78834 · last Mar 5, first Nov 22
- Crystal City, TX 78839 · last Feb 10, first Dec 10
- Quemado, TX 78877 · last Feb 19, first Dec 1
- Asherton, TX 78827 · last Mar 5, first Nov 22
- La Pryor, TX 78872 · last Feb 10, first Dec 10
- Big Wells, TX 78830 · last Feb 10, first Dec 10
- Catarina, TX 78836 · last Mar 5, first Nov 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in El Indio, TX?
- For ZIP code 78860, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Eagle Pass 3N, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 10.
- When is the first frost in El Indio, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78860?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 287 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.