Frost dates for 79834Big Bend National Park, TX
The average last spring frost in Big Bend National Park is March 10 and the average first fall frost is November 19, giving a typical growing season of about 252 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 10
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 19
- Growing season
- 252 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 23 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 4 · Mar 31 · Apr 22 | Oct 21 · Nov 8 · Nov 28 | 224 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 10 · Apr 6 | Oct 29 · Nov 19 · Dec 9 | 252 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 19 · Feb 21 · Mar 21 | Nov 4 · Dec 2 · Jan 1 | 285 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Big Bend National Park
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 7 – Apr 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 26 – Jul 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Mar 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – May 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Jul 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Apr 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Apr 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 27 – Jan 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Apr 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 9 – Dec 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79834 is matched to the NOAA station Chisos Basin, TX, 2.5 km away, at 5,300 ft elevation (1,419 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chisos Basin, TX (used) | 5,300 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 19 |
| Panther Junction, TX | 3,740 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 25 |
| Panther Junction 2 N, TX | 3,494 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 22 |
| Terlingua Rch 2, TX | 3,682 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 19 |
Frost dates near Big Bend National Park
- Terlingua, TX 79852 · last Feb 21, first Nov 30
- Redford, TX 79846 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Marathon, TX 79842 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Presidio, TX 79845 · last Feb 23, first Nov 26
- Alpine, TX 79830 · last Mar 17, first Nov 19
- Sanderson, TX 79848 · last Mar 11, first Nov 11
- Dryden, TX 78851 · last Mar 1, first Nov 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Big Bend National Park, TX?
- For ZIP code 79834, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chisos Basin, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Big Bend National Park, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 19. 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 79834?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 252 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.