Frost dates for 79229Dickens, TX
The average last spring frost in Dickens is April 6 and the average first fall frost is November 4, 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 4
- Growing season
- 209 days
Safer after Apr 24 (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) | Apr 2 · Apr 18 · Apr 30 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 189 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 6 · Apr 24 | Oct 20 · Nov 4 · Nov 18 | 209 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 25 · Apr 13 | Oct 28 · Nov 12 · Nov 27 | 231 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dickens
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 15 |
| 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 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 15 |
| 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 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79229 is matched to the NOAA station Spur, TX, 17.4 km away, at 2,297 ft elevation (210 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spur, TX (used) | 2,297 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 4 |
| White River Reservoir, TX | 2,412 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 8 |
| Crosbyton, TX | 3,010 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 5 |
| Matador, TX | 2,360 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Dickens
- Afton, TX 79220 · last Apr 5, first Nov 4
- Spur, TX 79370 · last Apr 6, first Nov 4
- Mcadoo, TX 79243 · last Apr 5, first Nov 5
- Roaring Springs, TX 79256 · last Apr 5, first Nov 4
- Girard, TX 79518 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Crosbyton, TX 79322 · last Apr 5, first Nov 5
- Dougherty, TX 79231 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Guthrie, TX 79236 · last Apr 4, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dickens, TX?
- For ZIP code 79229, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Spur, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Dickens, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. 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 79229?
- 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.