Frost dates for 78946Ledbetter, TX
The average last spring frost in Ledbetter is March 18 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 238 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 18
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 238 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 13 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 12 · Apr 1 · Apr 20 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 17 | 213 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 18 · Apr 6 | Oct 26 · Nov 9 · Nov 30 | 238 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 5 · Mar 24 | Nov 3 · Nov 23 · Dec 14 | 263 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ledbetter
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 15 – Apr 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Jan 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – May 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78946 is matched to the NOAA station Somerville Dam, TX, 23.9 km away, at 263 ft elevation (32 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerville Dam, TX (used) | 263 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 9 |
| Lexington, TX | 423 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 21 |
| Brenham, TX | 313 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 30 |
| La Grange, TX | 357 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 25 |
Frost dates near Ledbetter
- Carmine, TX 78932 · last Mar 2, first Nov 30
- Dime Box, TX 77853 · last Mar 5, first Nov 21
- Burton, TX 77835 · last Mar 2, first Nov 30
- Giddings, TX 78942 · last Mar 5, first Nov 21
- Round Top, TX 78961 · last Mar 4, first Nov 25
- Deanville, TX 77852 · last Mar 5, first Nov 21
- Lincoln, TX 78948 · last Mar 5, first Nov 21
- Warda, TX 78960 · last Mar 4, first Nov 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ledbetter, TX?
- For ZIP code 78946, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Somerville Dam, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Ledbetter, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78946?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 238 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.