Frost dates for 78880Rocksprings, TX
The average last spring frost in Rocksprings is March 8 and the average first fall frost is November 25, giving a typical growing season of about 258 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 8
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 25
- Growing season
- 258 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 9 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 29 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 3 · Mar 23 · Apr 13 | Oct 30 · Nov 13 · Nov 29 | 233 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 13 · Mar 8 · Mar 31 | Nov 9 · Nov 25 · Dec 12 | 258 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 22 · Feb 24 · Mar 18 | Nov 17 · Dec 6 · Jan 3 | 289 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rocksprings
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 5 – Apr 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Aug 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – May 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Aug 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Apr 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 25 – Jan 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 15 – Dec 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78880 is matched to the NOAA station Rocksprings, TX, 1.9 km away, at 2,382 ft elevation (7 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocksprings, TX (used) | 2,382 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 25 |
| Prade Rch, TX | 2,052 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 2 |
| Camp Wood, TX | 1,480 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 14 |
| Carta Valley, TX | 1,851 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near Rocksprings
- Barksdale, TX 78828 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Camp Wood, TX 78833 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Telegraph, TX 76883 · last Apr 8, first Oct 28
- Roosevelt, TX 76874 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
- Leakey, TX 78873 · last Apr 5, first Nov 2
- Rio Frio, TX 78879 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Junction, TX 76849 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- Sonora, TX 76950 · last Apr 1, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rocksprings, TX?
- For ZIP code 78880, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rocksprings, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in Rocksprings, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78880?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 258 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.