Frost dates for 79852Terlingua, TX
The average last spring frost in Terlingua is February 21 and the average first fall frost is November 30, giving a typical growing season of about 282 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 21
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 30
- Growing season
- 282 days
Safer after Mar 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 14 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 34 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) | Feb 17 · Mar 8 · Mar 31 | Nov 3 · Nov 20 · Dec 3 | 255 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 29 · Feb 21 · Mar 14 | Nov 14 · Nov 30 · Dec 16 | 282 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 8 · Feb 1 · Mar 3 | Nov 24 · Dec 11 · Jan 2 | 311 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Terlingua
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 | Jan 21 – Mar 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 9 – Aug 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 21 – Feb 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Aug 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Sep 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Aug 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 10 – Jan 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Feb 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 24 – Jan 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Apr 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Oct 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 6 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Oct 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Feb 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 20 – Dec 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79852 is matched to the NOAA station Study Butte, TX, 1.5 km away, at 2,563 ft elevation (56 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study Butte, TX (used) | 2,563 ft | Feb 21 | Nov 30 |
| Terlingua, TX | 2,633 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 26 |
| Lake Ament, TX | 3,609 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 25 |
| Lajitas, TX | 2,403 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 24 |
Frost dates near Terlingua
- Big Bend National Park, TX 79834 · last Mar 10, first Nov 19
- Redford, TX 79846 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Presidio, TX 79845 · last Feb 23, first Nov 26
- Marathon, TX 79842 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Alpine, TX 79830 · last Mar 17, first Nov 19
- Marfa, TX 79843 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Sanderson, TX 79848 · last Mar 11, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Terlingua, TX?
- For ZIP code 79852, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Study Butte, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 14.
- When is the first frost in Terlingua, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79852?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 282 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.