Frost dates for 79838Fabens, TX
The average last spring frost in Fabens is March 21 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 227 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 21
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 227 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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 23 · Apr 9 · Apr 27 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 9 | 201 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 21 · Apr 9 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 18 | 227 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 5 · Mar 20 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Nov 27 | 252 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fabens
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 18 – Apr 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – May 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79838 is matched to the NOAA station Tornillo 2 Sse, TX, 12.5 km away, at 3,525 ft elevation (74 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tornillo 2 Sse, TX (used) | 3,525 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 6 |
| El Paso Intl Ap, TX | 3,918 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 20 |
| El Paso 32 Ene, TX | 5,240 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
| Ft Hancock 8Sse, TX | 3,493 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Fabens
- Tornillo, TX 79853 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- Clint, TX 79836 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- San Elizario, TX 79849 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- El Paso, TX 79928 · last Mar 2, first Nov 20
- Fort Hancock, TX 79839 · last Mar 29, first Nov 6
- Fort Bliss, TX 79916 · last Mar 2, first Nov 20
- Sunland Park, NM 88063 · last Feb 28, first Nov 20
- Santa Teresa, NM 88008 · last Mar 23, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fabens, TX?
- For ZIP code 79838, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tornillo 2 Sse, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Fabens, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79838?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 227 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.