Frost dates for 79036Fritch, TX
The average last spring frost in Fritch is April 20 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 187 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 187 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 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) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 15 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 26 | 167 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 20 · May 4 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 4 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 9 · Apr 26 | Oct 21 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 206 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fritch
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 | Mar 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79036 is matched to the NOAA station Sanford Dam, TX, 7.5 km away, at 2,936 ft elevation (256 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanford Dam, TX (used) | 2,936 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 25 |
| Borger, TX | 3,053 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 28 |
| Borger Hutchinson Co Ap, TX | 3,054 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 2 |
| Panhandle, TX | 3,463 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Fritch
- Sanford, TX 79078 · last Apr 20, first Oct 25
- Borger, TX 79007 · last Apr 12, first Oct 28
- Stinnett, TX 79083 · last Apr 6, first Nov 2
- Panhandle, TX 79068 · last Apr 15, first Oct 29
- Masterson, TX 79058 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
- Skellytown, TX 79080 · last Apr 14, first Oct 28
- Amarillo, TX 79105 · last Apr 13, first Oct 27
- Dumas, TX 79029 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fritch, TX?
- For ZIP code 79036, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sanford Dam, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Fritch, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79036?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 187 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.