Frost dates for 79512Colorado City, TX
The average last spring frost in Colorado City is April 4 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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 26 · Apr 14 · Apr 29 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 9 | 195 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 13 · Apr 4 · Apr 22 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 19 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 18 · Apr 11 | Oct 31 · Nov 14 · Dec 1 | 237 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Colorado City
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 16 |
| 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 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 16 |
| 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 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79512 is matched to the NOAA station Colorado City, TX, 0.2 km away, at 2,110 ft elevation (16 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado City, TX (used) | 2,110 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 5 |
| Roscoe, TX | 2,380 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 8 |
| Snyder, TX | 2,319 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 10 |
| Big Spring, TX | 2,510 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Colorado City
- Loraine, TX 79532 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Westbrook, TX 79565 · last Apr 4, first Nov 5
- Dunn, TX 79516 · last Mar 27, first Nov 10
- Ira, TX 79527 · last Mar 27, first Nov 10
- Hermleigh, TX 79526 · last Mar 27, first Nov 10
- Roscoe, TX 79545 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Snyder, TX 79550 · last Mar 27, first Nov 10
- Maryneal, TX 79535 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Colorado City, TX?
- For ZIP code 79512, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Colorado City, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Colorado City, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79512?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.