Frost dates for 79201Childress, TX
The average last spring frost in Childress is April 3 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 217 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 3
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 217 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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) | Mar 29 · Apr 12 · Apr 28 | Oct 15 · Oct 27 · Nov 10 | 199 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 3 · Apr 17 | Oct 20 · Nov 5 · Nov 18 | 217 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 21 · Apr 7 | Oct 29 · Nov 15 · Dec 1 | 240 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Childress
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 3 – May 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79201 is matched to the NOAA station Childress 2, TX, 3.5 km away, at 1,920 ft elevation (53 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Childress 2, TX (used) | 1,920 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 5 |
| Childress Muni Ap, TX | 1,951 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 7 |
| Memphis, TX | 2,090 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 3 |
| Paducah, TX | 1,900 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near Childress
- Tell, TX 79259 · last Mar 31, first Nov 7
- Estelline, TX 79233 · last Mar 31, first Nov 7
- Cee Vee, TX 79223 · last Mar 30, first Nov 7
- Hollis, OK 73550 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Memphis, TX 79245 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Paducah, TX 79248 · last Mar 30, first Nov 7
- Dodson, TX 79230 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Quanah, TX 79252 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Childress, TX?
- For ZIP code 79201, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Childress 2, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Childress, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79201?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 217 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.