Frost dates for 79355Plains, TX
The average last spring frost in Plains is April 11 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 200 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 200 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 8 · Apr 21 · May 4 | Oct 9 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 182 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 11 · Apr 27 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 11 | 200 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 31 · Apr 18 | Oct 25 · Nov 7 · Nov 21 | 221 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Plains
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 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79355 is matched to the NOAA station Plains, TX, 0.3 km away, at 3,675 ft elevation (30 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plains, TX (used) | 3,675 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 1 |
| Denver City, TX | 3,590 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 4 |
| Tatum, NM | 4,012 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 26 |
| Brownfield #2, TX | 3,300 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Plains
- Tokio, TX 79376 · last Apr 11, first Nov 1
- Denver City, TX 79323 · last Apr 7, first Nov 4
- Seagraves, TX 79359 · last Apr 2, first Nov 6
- Wellman, TX 79378 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Sundown, TX 79372 · last Apr 9, first Nov 1
- Mcdonald, NM 88262 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
- Tatum, NM 88267 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
- Loop, TX 79342 · last Apr 2, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Plains, TX?
- For ZIP code 79355, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Plains, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in Plains, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79355?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 200 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.