Frost dates for 79701Midland, TX
The average last spring frost in Midland is March 26 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 226 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 226 days
Safer after Apr 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 13 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 21 · Apr 7 · Apr 25 | Oct 14 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 203 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 26 · Apr 15 | Oct 25 · Nov 9 · Nov 24 | 226 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 10 · Apr 2 | Nov 4 · Nov 18 · Dec 6 | 250 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Midland
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 23 – May 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – May 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79701 is matched to the NOAA station Midland 4 Ene, TX, 4.7 km away, at 2,776 ft elevation (4 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland 4 Ene, TX (used) | 2,776 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 9 |
| Midland Odessa, TX | 2,868 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 14 |
| Odessa, TX | 2,910 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 16 |
| Odessa Schlemeyer Fld, TX | 3,001 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Midland
- Midland, TX 79711 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Gardendale, TX 79758 · last Mar 19, first Nov 11
- Stanton, TX 79782 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Odessa, TX 79762 · last Mar 19, first Nov 11
- Lenorah, TX 79749 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Tarzan, TX 79783 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Midkiff, TX 79755 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Garden City, TX 79739 · last Apr 2, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Midland, TX?
- For ZIP code 79701, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Midland 4 Ene, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 15.
- When is the first frost in Midland, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79701?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 226 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.