Frost dates for 79847Salt Flat, TX
The average last spring frost in Salt Flat is April 17 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 14 · Apr 28 · May 10 | Oct 3 · Oct 16 · Oct 28 | 171 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 17 · May 1 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 4 · Apr 21 | Oct 19 · Nov 2 · Nov 14 | 209 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Salt Flat
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 17 – May 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79847 is matched to the NOAA station Dell City 5Ssw, TX, 10.1 km away, at 3,708 ft elevation (144 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dell City 5Ssw, TX (used) | 3,708 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 25 |
| Cornudas Svc Stn, TX | 4,480 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 29 |
| Pine Springs Np, TX | 5,456 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 11 |
| Pine Springs, TX | 5,591 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Salt Flat
- Dell City, TX 79837 · last Apr 17, first Oct 25
- El Paso, TX 79938 · last Mar 24, first Nov 11
- Sierra Blanca, TX 79851 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Fort Hancock, TX 79839 · last Mar 29, first Nov 6
- Whites City, NM 88268 · last Mar 27, first Nov 7
- Tornillo, TX 79853 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- Pinon, NM 88344 · last May 7, first Oct 11
- Van Horn, TX 79855 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Salt Flat, TX?
- For ZIP code 79847, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dell City 5Ssw, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Salt Flat, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79847?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 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.