Frost dates for 79739Garden City, TX
The average last spring frost in Garden City is April 2 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 215 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 215 days
Safer after Apr 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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 30 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 | 193 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 2 · Apr 20 | Oct 21 · Nov 5 · Nov 19 | 215 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 21 · Apr 7 | Oct 30 · Nov 14 · Dec 1 | 238 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Garden City
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 2 – May 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jun 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79739 is matched to the NOAA station Garden City, TX, 4.7 km away, at 2,655 ft elevation (17 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden City, TX (used) | 2,655 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 5 |
| Cope Rch, TX | 2,480 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 31 |
| Big Spring, TX | 2,510 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 13 |
| Midland 4 Ene, TX | 2,776 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Garden City
- Forsan, TX 79733 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Stanton, TX 79782 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Midland, TX 79706 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Big Lake, TX 76932 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
- Big Spring, TX 79720 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Sterling City, TX 76951 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Midkiff, TX 79755 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Coahoma, TX 79511 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Garden City, TX?
- For ZIP code 79739, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Garden City, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 20.
- When is the first frost in Garden City, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79739?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 215 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.