Frost dates for 79735Fort Stockton, TX
The average last spring frost in Fort Stockton is March 8 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 252 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 8
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 252 days
Safer after Apr 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 25 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 5 · Mar 28 · Apr 16 | Oct 26 · Nov 9 · Nov 25 | 227 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 8 · Apr 3 | Nov 3 · Nov 20 · Dec 5 | 252 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 28 · Feb 24 · Mar 15 | Nov 13 · Dec 1 · Dec 23 | 282 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Stockton
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 5 – Apr 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – May 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Apr 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 25 – Jan 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79735 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Stockton Pecos Ap, TX, 4.2 km away, at 3,010 ft elevation (34 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Stockton Pecos Ap, TX (used) | 3,010 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 20 |
| Ft Stockton, TX | 3,038 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 20 |
| Grandfalls 3Sse, TX | 2,425 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 3 |
| Bakersfield, TX | 2,547 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Fort Stockton
- Coyanosa, TX 79730 · last Apr 3, first Nov 6
- Imperial, TX 79743 · last Apr 2, first Nov 3
- Girvin, TX 79740 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Grandfalls, TX 79742 · last Apr 2, first Nov 3
- Mc Camey, TX 79752 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Saragosa, TX 79780 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Crane, TX 79731 · last Mar 16, first Nov 16
- Pyote, TX 79777 · last Apr 3, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Stockton, TX?
- For ZIP code 79735, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Stockton Pecos Ap, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 3.
- When is the first frost in Fort Stockton, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79735?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 252 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.