Frost dates for 79842Marathon, TX
The average last spring frost in Marathon is April 7 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 205 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 205 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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) | Apr 5 · Apr 20 · May 3 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 185 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 7 · Apr 26 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 205 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 20 · Apr 11 | Oct 23 · Nov 8 · Nov 23 | 230 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Marathon
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 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79842 is matched to the NOAA station Marathon, TX, 4.9 km away, at 3,989 ft elevation (138 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon, TX (used) | 3,989 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| Alpine, TX | 4,450 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 3 |
| Alpine 7Nw, TX | 4,922 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 19 |
| Persimmon Gap, TX | 2,865 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near Marathon
- Alpine, TX 79830 · last Mar 17, first Nov 19
- Sanderson, TX 79848 · last Mar 11, first Nov 11
- Fort Davis, TX 79734 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Marfa, TX 79843 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Fort Stockton, TX 79735 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Big Bend National Park, TX 79834 · last Mar 10, first Nov 19
- Toyahvale, TX 79786 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Balmorhea, TX 79718 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Marathon, TX?
- For ZIP code 79842, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marathon, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Marathon, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79842?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 205 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.