Frost dates for 79490Lubbock, TX
The average last spring frost in Lubbock is April 4 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 210 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 210 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 16 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) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · Apr 28 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 191 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 4 · Apr 22 | Oct 19 · Nov 2 · Nov 14 | 210 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 22 · Apr 10 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Nov 26 | 233 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lubbock
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 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79490 is matched to the NOAA station Lubbock, TX, 5 km away, at 3,259 ft elevation (34 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lubbock, TX (used) | 3,259 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 2 |
| Lubbock Wfo, TX | 3,235 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
| Abernathy, TX | 3,368 ft | Apr 9 | Nov 1 |
| Tahoka, TX | 3,120 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Lubbock
- Lubbock, TX 79430 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- New Deal, TX 79350 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Idalou, TX 79329 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Ransom Canyon, TX 79366 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Shallowater, TX 79363 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Wolfforth, TX 79382 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Slaton, TX 79364 · last Apr 2, first Nov 8
- Abernathy, TX 79311 · last Apr 9, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lubbock, TX?
- For ZIP code 79490, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lubbock, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Lubbock, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79490?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 210 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.