Frost dates for 79040Gruver, TX
The average last spring frost in Gruver is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 182 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 182 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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 13 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 25 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 21 · May 4 | Oct 8 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 182 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 10 · Apr 27 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gruver
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 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79040 is matched to the NOAA station Gruver, TX, 2.7 km away, at 3,170 ft elevation (16 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gruver, TX (used) | 3,170 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
| Spearman, TX | 3,095 ft | Apr 8 | Nov 4 |
| Goodwell 2 Se, OK | 3,282 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| Goodwell 2 E, OK | 3,266 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Gruver
- Spearman, TX 79081 · last Apr 8, first Nov 4
- Morse, TX 79062 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Waka, TX 79093 · last Apr 14, first Oct 30
- Farnsworth, TX 79033 · last Apr 14, first Oct 30
- Texhoma, TX 73960 · last Apr 24, first Oct 19
- Hardesty, OK 73944 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Guymon, OK 73942 · last Apr 18, first Oct 23
- Sunray, TX 79086 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gruver, TX?
- For ZIP code 79040, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gruver, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Gruver, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79040?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 182 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.