Frost dates for 78942Giddings, TX
The average last spring frost in Giddings is March 5 and the average first fall frost is November 21, giving a typical growing season of about 262 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 21
- Growing season
- 262 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 20 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 27 · Mar 20 · Apr 11 | Oct 27 · Nov 10 · Nov 28 | 236 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 10 · Mar 5 · Mar 31 | Nov 3 · Nov 21 · Dec 11 | 262 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 17 · Feb 17 · Mar 14 | Nov 13 · Dec 3 · Jan 4 | 294 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Giddings
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 2 – Apr 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – May 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 11 – Dec 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78942 is matched to the NOAA station Lexington, TX, 26.6 km away, at 423 ft elevation (50 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, TX (used) | 423 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 21 |
| Smithville, TX | 317 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 19 |
| La Grange, TX | 357 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 25 |
| Somerville Dam, TX | 263 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Giddings
- Warda, TX 78960 · last Mar 4, first Nov 25
- Lincoln, TX 78948 · last Mar 5, first Nov 21
- Ledbetter, TX 78946 · last Mar 18, first Nov 9
- Paige, TX 78659 · last Mar 12, first Nov 19
- Dime Box, TX 77853 · last Mar 5, first Nov 21
- Carmine, TX 78932 · last Mar 2, first Nov 30
- Round Top, TX 78954 · last Mar 4, first Nov 25
- West Point, TX 78963 · last Mar 12, first Nov 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Giddings, TX?
- For ZIP code 78942, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lexington, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in Giddings, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78942?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 262 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.