Frost dates for 78885Vanderpool, TX
The average last spring frost in Vanderpool is March 16 and the average first fall frost is November 15, giving a typical growing season of about 244 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 16
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 15
- Growing season
- 244 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 19 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 9 · Apr 2 · Apr 20 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 22 | 217 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 16 · Apr 6 | Oct 31 · Nov 15 · Dec 3 | 244 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 3 · Mar 2 · Mar 21 | Nov 7 · Nov 29 · Dec 20 | 272 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Vanderpool
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 13 – Apr 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Jul 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Jul 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Jan 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – May 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 5 – Dec 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78885 is matched to the NOAA station Medina 1Ne, TX, 30.3 km away, at 1,712 ft elevation (121 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medina 1Ne, TX (used) | 1,712 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 15 |
| Prade Rch, TX | 2,052 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 2 |
| Hunt 10 W, TX | 2,010 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Camp Wood, TX | 1,480 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Vanderpool
- Utopia, TX 78884 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Leakey, TX 78873 · last Apr 5, first Nov 2
- Rio Frio, TX 78879 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Medina, TX 78055 · last Mar 16, first Nov 15
- Hunt, TX 78024 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Concan, TX 78838 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Tarpley, TX 78883 · last Mar 16, first Nov 15
- Camp Wood, TX 78833 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Vanderpool, TX?
- For ZIP code 78885, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Medina 1Ne, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Vanderpool, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78885?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 244 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.