Frost dates for 79185Amarillo, TX
The average last spring frost in Amarillo is April 13 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 195 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 195 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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 9 · Apr 25 · May 7 | Oct 4 · Oct 18 · Oct 29 | 175 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 13 · Apr 29 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 8 | 195 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 13 · Apr 2 · Apr 19 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 18 | 216 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Amarillo
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 13 – May 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jun 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 6 – May 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79185 is matched to the NOAA station Amarillo, TX, 25.2 km away, at 3,587 ft elevation (277 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo, TX (used) | 3,587 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 27 |
| Amarillo 7Ene, TX | 3,590 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 29 |
| Bushland 1 Wsw, TX | 3,819 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 21 |
| Boys Rch, TX | 3,191 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Amarillo
- Amarillo, TX 79105 · last Apr 13, first Oct 27
- Bushland, TX 79012 · last Apr 22, first Oct 21
- Masterson, TX 79058 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
- Boys Ranch, TX 79010 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Wildorado, TX 79098 · last Apr 22, first Oct 21
- Fritch, TX 79036 · last Apr 20, first Oct 25
- Panhandle, TX 79068 · last Apr 15, first Oct 29
- Sanford, TX 79078 · last Apr 20, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Amarillo, TX?
- For ZIP code 79185, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Amarillo, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Amarillo, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79185?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 195 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.