Frost dates for 79832Alpine, TX
The average last spring frost in Alpine is April 2 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 29 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 10 · Oct 25 · Nov 8 | 192 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 11 · Apr 2 · Apr 20 | Oct 19 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 21 · Mar 14 · Apr 6 | Oct 30 · Nov 14 · Dec 1 | 241 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 | 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 79832 is matched to the NOAA station Alpine, TX, 1.6 km away, at 4,450 ft elevation (61 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine, TX (used) | 4,450 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 3 |
| Alpine 7Nw, TX | 4,922 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 19 |
| Ft Davis, TX | 4,864 ft | Apr 5 | 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
- Fort Davis, TX 79734 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Marfa, TX 79843 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Marathon, TX 79842 · last Apr 7, 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 79832, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Alpine, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 20.
- When is the first frost in Alpine, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79832?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.