Frost dates for 79765Odessa, TX
The average last spring frost in Odessa is March 19 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 235 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 235 days
Safer after Apr 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 15 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 14 · Apr 3 · Apr 23 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 15 | 212 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 19 · Apr 8 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Nov 26 | 235 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 7 · Mar 27 | Nov 6 · Nov 21 · Dec 6 | 259 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Odessa
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 16 – Apr 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – May 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Mar 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79765 is matched to the NOAA station Odessa Schlemeyer Fld, TX, 2 km away, at 3,001 ft elevation (6 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odessa Schlemeyer Fld, TX (used) | 3,001 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 11 |
| Odessa, TX | 2,910 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 16 |
| Midland Odessa, TX | 2,868 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 14 |
| Penwell, TX | 2,933 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Odessa
- Odessa, TX 79762 · last Mar 19, first Nov 11
- Gardendale, TX 79758 · last Mar 19, first Nov 11
- Goldsmith, TX 79741 · last Mar 19, first Nov 11
- Midland, TX 79703 · last Mar 18, first Nov 14
- Penwell, TX 79776 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Notrees, TX 79759 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Andrews, TX 79714 · last Mar 18, first Nov 14
- Stanton, TX 79782 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Odessa, TX?
- For ZIP code 79765, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Odessa Schlemeyer Fld, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 8.
- When is the first frost in Odessa, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79765?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 235 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.