Frost dates for 79843Marfa, TX
The average last spring frost in Marfa is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 9 · Apr 26 · May 9 | Oct 4 · Oct 19 · Nov 3 | 175 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 14 · May 1 | Oct 13 · Oct 27 · Nov 13 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Apr 2 · Apr 21 | Oct 20 · Nov 7 · Nov 22 | 216 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Marfa
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79843 is matched to the NOAA station Marfa 3W, TX, 2.5 km away, at 4,790 ft elevation (79 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marfa 3W, TX (used) | 4,790 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 27 |
| Alpine 7Nw, TX | 4,922 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 19 |
| Ft Davis, TX | 4,864 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
| Alpine, TX | 4,450 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Marfa
- Fort Davis, TX 79734 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Alpine, TX 79831 · last Mar 17, first Nov 19
- Valentine, TX 79854 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Toyahvale, TX 79786 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Balmorhea, TX 79718 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Marathon, TX 79842 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Presidio, TX 79845 · last Feb 23, first Nov 26
- Redford, TX 79846 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Marfa, TX?
- For ZIP code 79843, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marfa 3W, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Marfa, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79843?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.