Frost dates for 79769Odessa, 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 79769 is matched to the NOAA station Odessa Schlemeyer Fld, TX, 8.5 km away, at 3,001 ft elevation (104 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 |
| Crane 10N, TX | 2,927 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 12 |
| Midland Odessa, TX | 2,868 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Odessa
- Odessa, TX 79768 · last Mar 19, first Nov 11
- Gardendale, TX 79758 · last Mar 19, first Nov 11
- Penwell, TX 79776 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Midland, TX 79703 · last Mar 18, first Nov 14
- Goldsmith, TX 79741 · last Mar 19, first Nov 11
- Notrees, TX 79759 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Crane, TX 79731 · last Mar 16, first Nov 16
- Midkiff, TX 79755 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Odessa, TX?
- For ZIP code 79769, 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 79769?
- 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.