Frost dates for 79311Abernathy, TX
The average last spring frost in Abernathy is April 9 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 204 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 204 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 6 · Apr 20 · May 2 | Oct 6 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 183 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 9 · Apr 25 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 11 | 204 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 29 · Apr 16 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 22 | 225 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Abernathy
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 12 |
| 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 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 12 |
| 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) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79311 is matched to the NOAA station Abernathy, TX, 2.4 km away, at 3,368 ft elevation (9 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abernathy, TX (used) | 3,368 ft | Apr 9 | Nov 1 |
| Lubbock, TX | 3,259 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 2 |
| Lubbock Wfo, TX | 3,235 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
| Littlefield, TX | 3,466 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Abernathy
- New Deal, TX 79350 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Shallowater, TX 79363 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Cotton Center, TX 79021 · last Apr 14, first Oct 26
- Petersburg, TX 79250 · last Apr 9, first Nov 1
- Hale Center, TX 79041 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Plainview, TX 79073 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Lubbock, TX 79403 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Idalou, TX 79329 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Abernathy, TX?
- For ZIP code 79311, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Abernathy, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Abernathy, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79311?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 204 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.