Frost dates for 79312Amherst, TX
The average last spring frost in Amherst is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 192 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 192 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 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 12 · Apr 25 · May 6 | Oct 4 · Oct 17 · Oct 30 | 173 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 14 · Apr 28 | Oct 15 · Oct 26 · Nov 6 | 192 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 3 · Apr 21 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 17 | 214 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Amherst
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79312 is matched to the NOAA station Littlefield, TX, 22.1 km away, at 3,466 ft elevation (179 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Littlefield, TX (used) | 3,466 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 26 |
| Muleshoe 19 S, TX | 3,742 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 21 |
| Muleshoe Ntl Wr, TX | 3,740 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 19 |
| Olton, TX | 3,640 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Amherst
- Sudan, TX 79371 · last Apr 22, first Oct 21
- Littlefield, TX 79339 · last Apr 14, first Oct 26
- Fieldton, TX 79326 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Pep, TX 79353 · last Apr 11, first Oct 31
- Earth, TX 79031 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Spade, TX 79369 · last Apr 14, first Oct 26
- Springlake, TX 79082 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Whitharral, TX 79380 · last Apr 14, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Amherst, TX?
- For ZIP code 79312, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Littlefield, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Amherst, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79312?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 192 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.