Frost dates for 78873Leakey, TX
The average last spring frost in Leakey is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 212 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 212 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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) | Mar 30 · Apr 15 · May 2 | Oct 9 · Oct 25 · Nov 8 | 192 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 11 · Apr 5 · Apr 25 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 18 | 212 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 17 · Apr 10 | Oct 27 · Nov 12 · Dec 2 | 239 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Leakey
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 | Mar 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78873 is matched to the NOAA station Prade Rch, TX, 16.9 km away, at 2,052 ft elevation (205 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prade Rch, TX (used) | 2,052 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 2 |
| Camp Wood, TX | 1,480 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 14 |
| Hunt 10 W, TX | 2,010 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Medina 1Ne, TX | 1,712 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 15 |
Frost dates near Leakey
- Rio Frio, TX 78879 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Vanderpool, TX 78885 · last Mar 16, first Nov 15
- Utopia, TX 78884 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Camp Wood, TX 78833 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Concan, TX 78838 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Barksdale, TX 78828 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Hunt, TX 78024 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Medina, TX 78055 · last Mar 16, first Nov 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Leakey, TX?
- For ZIP code 78873, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Prade Rch, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Leakey, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78873?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 212 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.