Frost dates for 78959Waelder, TX
The average last spring frost in Waelder is March 2 and the average first fall frost is November 27, giving a typical growing season of about 271 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 27
- Growing season
- 271 days
Safer after Mar 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 8 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 27 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 23 · Mar 13 · Apr 2 | Oct 31 · Nov 15 · Dec 3 | 247 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 2 · Mar 21 | Nov 8 · Nov 27 · Dec 18 | 271 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 16 · Feb 16 · Mar 12 | Nov 17 · Dec 9 · Jan 9 | 300 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Waelder
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 | Jan 30 – Apr 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Aug 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Mar 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Aug 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – May 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Sep 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Aug 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 19 – Jan 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Sep 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Jan 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Apr 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Mar 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 17 – Dec 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78959 is matched to the NOAA station Flatonia 4Se, TX, 23.1 km away, at 470 ft elevation (119 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flatonia 4Se, TX (used) | 470 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 27 |
| Gonzales 2S, TX | 296 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 28 |
| Luling, TX | 400 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 23 |
| Smithville, TX | 317 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 19 |
Frost dates near Waelder
- Harwood, TX 78632 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Flatonia, TX 78941 · last Mar 2, first Nov 27
- Muldoon, TX 78949 · last Mar 2, first Nov 27
- Moulton, TX 77975 · last Mar 2, first Nov 27
- Gonzales, TX 78629 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- Rosanky, TX 78953 · last Mar 12, first Nov 19
- Ottine, TX 78658 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Shiner, TX 77984 · last Mar 2, first Nov 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waelder, TX?
- For ZIP code 78959, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Flatonia 4Se, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 21.
- When is the first frost in Waelder, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78959?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 271 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.