Frost dates for 79734Fort Davis, TX
The average last spring frost in Fort Davis is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 209 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 209 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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) | Apr 1 · Apr 17 · May 3 | Oct 9 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 189 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 5 · Apr 24 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 209 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 18 · Apr 10 | Oct 27 · Nov 11 · Nov 26 | 236 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Davis
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79734 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Davis, TX, 5 km away, at 4,864 ft elevation (618 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Davis, TX (used) | 4,864 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
| Mt Locke, TX | 6,790 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 29 |
| Alpine 7Nw, TX | 4,922 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 19 |
| Marfa 3W, TX | 4,790 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Fort Davis
- Marfa, TX 79843 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Alpine, TX 79832 · last Apr 2, first Nov 3
- Toyahvale, TX 79786 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Balmorhea, TX 79718 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Valentine, TX 79854 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Saragosa, TX 79780 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Toyah, TX 79785 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Marathon, TX 79842 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Davis, TX?
- For ZIP code 79734, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Davis, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Fort Davis, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79734?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 209 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.