Frost dates for 79743Imperial, TX
The average last spring frost in Imperial is April 2 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 214 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 214 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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 12 · Apr 27 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 195 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 11 · Apr 2 · Apr 19 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 17 | 214 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 18 · Apr 6 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Nov 28 | 236 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Imperial
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 14 |
| 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 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jun 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 14 |
| 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 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79743 is matched to the NOAA station Grandfalls 3Sse, TX, 12.8 km away, at 2,425 ft elevation (33 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grandfalls 3Sse, TX (used) | 2,425 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 3 |
| Crane, TX | 2,554 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 16 |
| Monahans, TX | 2,547 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 6 |
| Monahans 6 Ene, TX | 2,724 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Imperial
- Grandfalls, TX 79742 · last Apr 2, first Nov 3
- Coyanosa, TX 79730 · last Apr 3, first Nov 6
- Crane, TX 79731 · last Mar 16, first Nov 16
- Girvin, TX 79740 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Monahans, TX 79756 · last Apr 3, first Nov 6
- Wickett, TX 79788 · last Apr 3, first Nov 6
- Fort Stockton, TX 79735 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Mc Camey, TX 79752 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Imperial, TX?
- For ZIP code 79743, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Grandfalls 3Sse, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Imperial, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79743?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 214 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.