Frost dates for 79068Panhandle, TX
The average last spring frost in Panhandle is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 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 11 · Apr 26 · May 8 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Oct 30 | 176 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · Apr 29 | Oct 15 · Oct 29 · Nov 9 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 14 · Apr 3 · Apr 20 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 21 | 215 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Panhandle
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79068 is matched to the NOAA station Panhandle, TX, 4.9 km away, at 3,463 ft elevation (2 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panhandle, TX (used) | 3,463 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 29 |
| Amarillo, TX | 3,587 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 27 |
| Amarillo 7Ene, TX | 3,590 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 29 |
| Borger, TX | 3,053 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Panhandle
- White Deer, TX 79097 · last Apr 15, first Oct 29
- Amarillo, TX 79111 · last Apr 13, first Oct 27
- Skellytown, TX 79080 · last Apr 14, first Oct 28
- Claude, TX 79019 · last Apr 15, first Oct 29
- Borger, TX 79007 · last Apr 12, first Oct 28
- Fritch, TX 79036 · last Apr 20, first Oct 25
- Groom, TX 79039 · last Apr 15, first Oct 29
- Sanford, TX 79078 · last Apr 20, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Panhandle, TX?
- For ZIP code 79068, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Panhandle, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Panhandle, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79068?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.