Frost dates for 79556Sweetwater, TX
The average last spring frost in Sweetwater is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 223 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 223 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 22 · Apr 8 · Apr 27 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 203 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 30 · Apr 17 | Oct 26 · Nov 8 · Nov 25 | 223 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 16 · Apr 4 | Nov 1 · Nov 18 · Dec 4 | 245 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sweetwater
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 | Feb 27 – May 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79556 is matched to the NOAA station Roscoe, TX, 12.4 km away, at 2,380 ft elevation (238 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roscoe, TX (used) | 2,380 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 8 |
| Merkel 12 Sw, TX | 2,249 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 3 |
| Rotan, TX | 1,995 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 15 |
| Colorado City, TX | 2,110 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Sweetwater
- Roscoe, TX 79545 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Trent, TX 79561 · last Apr 2, first Nov 3
- Nolan, TX 79537 · last Apr 2, first Nov 3
- Roby, TX 79543 · last Mar 17, first Nov 15
- Loraine, TX 79532 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Sylvester, TX 79560 · last Mar 17, first Nov 15
- Maryneal, TX 79535 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Hermleigh, TX 79526 · last Mar 27, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sweetwater, TX?
- For ZIP code 79556, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Roscoe, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Sweetwater, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79556?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 223 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.