Frost dates for 79830Alpine, TX
The average last spring frost in Alpine is March 17 and the average first fall frost is November 19, giving a typical growing season of about 246 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 17
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 19
- Growing season
- 246 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 24 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 11 · Apr 4 · Apr 28 | Oct 23 · Nov 8 · Nov 24 | 218 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 17 · Apr 18 | Nov 1 · Nov 19 · Dec 7 | 246 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 1 · Mar 1 · Mar 31 | Nov 10 · Dec 1 · Jan 1 | 274 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Alpine
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 14 – Apr 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – May 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 9 – Dec 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79830 is matched to the NOAA station Alpine 7Nw, TX, 17 km away, at 4,922 ft elevation (423 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine 7Nw, TX (used) | 4,922 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 19 |
| Alpine, TX | 4,450 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 3 |
| Marathon, TX | 3,989 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| Marfa 3W, TX | 4,790 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Alpine
- Alpine, TX 79831 · last Mar 17, first Nov 19
- Marfa, TX 79843 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Marathon, TX 79842 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Fort Davis, TX 79734 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Toyahvale, TX 79786 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Balmorhea, TX 79718 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Saragosa, TX 79780 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Valentine, TX 79854 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Alpine, TX?
- For ZIP code 79830, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Alpine 7Nw, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Alpine, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79830?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 246 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.