Frost dates for 79848Sanderson, TX
The average last spring frost in Sanderson is March 11 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 243 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 11
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 243 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 15 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 7 · Mar 31 · Apr 20 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 15 | 216 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 11 · Apr 6 | Oct 28 · Nov 11 · Nov 27 | 243 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 5 · Feb 28 · Mar 19 | Nov 7 · Nov 23 · Dec 10 | 267 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sanderson
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 8 – Apr 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – May 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79848 is matched to the NOAA station Sanderson, TX, 2.2 km away, at 2,788 ft elevation (145 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanderson, TX (used) | 2,788 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 11 |
| Dryden Terrell Co Ap, TX | 2,322 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 28 |
| Pandale 1 N, TX | 1,689 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 11 |
| Sheffield, TX | 2,175 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Sanderson
- Dryden, TX 78851 · last Mar 1, first Nov 28
- Marathon, TX 79842 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Sheffield, TX 79781 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Langtry, TX 78871 · last Feb 27, first Nov 27
- Fort Stockton, TX 79735 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Iraan, TX 79744 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Girvin, TX 79740 · last Mar 12, first Nov 16
- Comstock, TX 78837 · last Mar 10, first Nov 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sanderson, TX?
- For ZIP code 79848, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sanderson, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Sanderson, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79848?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 243 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.