Frost dates for 79231Dougherty, TX
The average last spring frost in Dougherty is April 7 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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 · May 2 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 188 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 7 · Apr 23 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 16 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 28 · Apr 14 | Oct 30 · Nov 12 · Nov 26 | 228 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dougherty
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 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79231 is matched to the NOAA station Floydada, TX, 22.7 km away, at 3,220 ft elevation (139 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floydada, TX (used) | 3,220 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 3 |
| Matador, TX | 2,360 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 4 |
| Crosbyton, TX | 3,010 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 5 |
| Turkey, TX | 2,330 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Dougherty
- Floydada, TX 79235 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Roaring Springs, TX 79256 · last Apr 5, first Nov 4
- Mcadoo, TX 79243 · last Apr 5, first Nov 5
- Matador, TX 79244 · last Apr 5, first Nov 4
- Afton, TX 79220 · last Apr 5, first Nov 4
- Flomot, TX 79234 · last Apr 4, first Nov 3
- Crosbyton, TX 79322 · last Apr 5, first Nov 5
- South Plains, TX 79258 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dougherty, TX?
- For ZIP code 79231, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Floydada, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Dougherty, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. 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 79231?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 208 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.