Frost dates for 78933Cat Spring, TX
The average last spring frost in Cat Spring is March 9 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 255 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 9
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 255 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 24 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 28 · Mar 23 · Apr 13 | Oct 21 · Nov 9 · Dec 2 | 231 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 13 · Mar 9 · Mar 31 | Nov 1 · Nov 20 · Dec 13 | 255 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 22 · Feb 25 · Mar 19 | Nov 6 · Dec 3 · Jan 4 | 284 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Cat Spring
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 6 – Apr 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – May 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 26 – Jan 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78933 is matched to the NOAA station Columbus, TX, 18.6 km away, at 225 ft elevation (31 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, TX (used) | 225 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 20 |
| Eagle Lake Resch Ctr, TX | 176 ft | Feb 21 | Dec 1 |
| Sealy, TX | 196 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 30 |
| Bellville 6Nne, TX | 280 ft | Feb 28 | Dec 2 |
Frost dates near Cat Spring
- Alleyton, TX 78935 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Columbus, TX 78934 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Eagle Lake, TX 77434 · last Feb 21, first Dec 1
- Glidden, TX 78943 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- New Ulm, TX 78950 · last Mar 2, first Nov 30
- Altair, TX 77412 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Sealy, TX 77474 · last Feb 28, first Nov 30
- Bellville, TX 77418 · last Feb 28, first Dec 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cat Spring, TX?
- For ZIP code 78933, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Columbus, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in Cat Spring, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78933?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 255 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.