Frost dates for 79781Sheffield, TX
The average last spring frost in Sheffield is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 217 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 217 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 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 24 · Apr 12 · Apr 30 | Oct 9 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 196 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 31 · Apr 19 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 17 | 217 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 15 · Apr 5 | Oct 27 · Nov 12 · Nov 28 | 240 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sheffield
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 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79781 is matched to the NOAA station Sheffield, TX, 3.2 km away, at 2,175 ft elevation (99 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheffield, TX (used) | 2,175 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 3 |
| Bakersfield, TX | 2,547 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 11 |
| Mccamey, TX | 2,461 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 16 |
| Pandale 11 Ne, TX | 1,665 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 18 |
Frost dates near Sheffield
- Iraan, TX 79744 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Mc Camey, TX 79752 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Ozona, TX 76943 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- Rankin, TX 79778 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Girvin, TX 79740 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Dryden, TX 78851 · last Mar 1, first Nov 28
- Sanderson, TX 79848 · last Mar 11, first Nov 11
- Barnhart, TX 76930 · last Mar 20, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sheffield, TX?
- For ZIP code 79781, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sheffield, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Sheffield, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79781?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 217 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.