Frost dates for 79560Sylvester, TX
The average last spring frost in Sylvester is March 17 and the average first fall frost is November 15, giving a typical growing season of about 243 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 17
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 15
- Growing season
- 243 days
Safer after Apr 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 19 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 9 · Mar 30 · Apr 15 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 21 | 221 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 17 · Apr 3 | Oct 31 · Nov 15 · Dec 3 | 243 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 8 · Mar 4 · Mar 23 | Nov 9 · Nov 28 · Dec 16 | 268 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sylvester
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 14 – Apr 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – May 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 5 – Dec 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79560 is matched to the NOAA station Rotan, TX, 24.5 km away, at 1,995 ft elevation (138 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotan, TX (used) | 1,995 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 15 |
| Anson, TX | 1,717 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
| Roscoe, TX | 2,380 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 8 |
| Merkel 12 Sw, TX | 2,249 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Sylvester
- Mc Caulley, TX 79534 · last Mar 17, first Nov 15
- Roby, TX 79543 · last Mar 17, first Nov 15
- Hamlin, TX 79520 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Rotan, TX 79546 · last Mar 17, first Nov 15
- Trent, TX 79561 · last Apr 2, first Nov 3
- Sweetwater, TX 79556 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Hawley, TX 79525 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Anson, TX 79501 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sylvester, TX?
- For ZIP code 79560, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rotan, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 3.
- When is the first frost in Sylvester, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79560?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 243 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.