Frost dates for 79096Wheeler, TX
The average last spring frost in Wheeler is April 9 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 202 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 202 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 158 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 5 · Apr 20 · May 4 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 182 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 9 · Apr 26 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 202 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 31 · Apr 17 | Oct 22 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 222 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wheeler
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 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79096 is matched to the NOAA station Shamrock #2, TX, 24.1 km away, at 2,360 ft elevation (183 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shamrock #2, TX (used) | 2,360 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 30 |
| Mc Lean, TX | 2,632 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 30 |
| Erick, OK | 2,060 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
| Miami, TX | 2,747 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Wheeler
- Mobeetie, TX 79061 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Briscoe, TX 79011 · last Apr 9, first Oct 30
- Allison, TX 79003 · last Apr 9, first Oct 30
- Shamrock, TX 79079 · last Apr 9, first Oct 30
- Sweetwater, OK 73666 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Texola, OK 73668 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Mclean, TX 79057 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Reydon, OK 73660 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wheeler, TX?
- For ZIP code 79096, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Shamrock #2, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Wheeler, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79096?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 202 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.