Frost dates for 79602Abilene, TX
The average last spring frost in Abilene is March 20 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 236 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 20
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 236 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 14 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 17 · Apr 3 · Apr 22 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 211 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 20 · Apr 10 | Oct 28 · Nov 10 · Nov 28 | 236 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 6 · Mar 28 | Nov 6 · Nov 23 · Dec 11 | 261 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Abilene
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 17 – Apr 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – May 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Mar 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79602 is matched to the NOAA station Abilene Rgnl Ap, TX, 3.8 km away, at 1,790 ft elevation (58 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene Rgnl Ap, TX (used) | 1,790 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 10 |
| Abilene 6Ese, TX | 1,802 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 5 |
| Merkel 12 Sw, TX | 2,249 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 3 |
| Anson, TX | 1,717 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Abilene
- Abilene, TX 79604 · last Mar 20, first Nov 10
- Dyess Afb, TX 79607 · last Mar 20, first Nov 10
- Tye, TX 79563 · last Mar 20, first Nov 10
- Buffalo Gap, TX 79508 · last Mar 20, first Nov 10
- Clyde, TX 79510 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Tuscola, TX 79562 · last Mar 20, first Nov 10
- Merkel, TX 79536 · last Mar 20, first Nov 10
- Ovalo, TX 79541 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Abilene, TX?
- For ZIP code 79602, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Abilene Rgnl Ap, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Abilene, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79602?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 236 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.