Frost dates for 79072Plainview, TX
The average last spring frost in Plainview is April 6 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 209 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 209 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 2 · Apr 17 · May 2 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 188 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 6 · Apr 23 | Oct 19 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 209 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 25 · Apr 13 | Oct 30 · Nov 12 · Nov 26 | 230 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Plainview
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 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79072 is matched to the NOAA station Plainview, TX, 2.3 km away, at 3,370 ft elevation (19 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plainview, TX (used) | 3,370 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 2 |
| Plainview Wtr Productn, TX | 3,450 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 29 |
| Olton, TX | 3,640 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| Tulia, TX | 3,480 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Plainview
- Plainview, TX 79073 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Edmonson, TX 79032 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Aiken, TX 79221 · last Apr 6, first Nov 2
- Kress, TX 79052 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Hale Center, TX 79041 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Lockney, TX 79241 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Petersburg, TX 79250 · last Apr 9, first Nov 1
- Cotton Center, TX 79021 · last Apr 14, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Plainview, TX?
- For ZIP code 79072, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Plainview, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Plainview, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79072?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 209 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.