Frost dates for 79855Van Horn, TX
The average last spring frost in Van Horn is March 21 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 234 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 21
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 234 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (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 18 · Apr 6 · Apr 24 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 208 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 21 · Apr 9 | Oct 27 · Nov 11 · Nov 24 | 234 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 4 · Mar 23 | Nov 4 · Nov 21 · Dec 4 | 260 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Van Horn
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 18 – Apr 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – May 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79855 is matched to the NOAA station Van Horn, TX, 1.2 km away, at 4,065 ft elevation (36 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van Horn, TX (used) | 4,065 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 11 |
| Valentine, TX | 4,440 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Kent 8Se, TX | 4,602 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 11 |
| Mt Locke, TX | 6,790 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Van Horn
- Sierra Blanca, TX 79851 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Valentine, TX 79854 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Salt Flat, TX 79847 · last Apr 17, first Oct 25
- Fort Davis, TX 79734 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Toyahvale, TX 79786 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Toyah, TX 79785 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Fort Hancock, TX 79839 · last Mar 29, first Nov 6
- Balmorhea, TX 79718 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Van Horn, TX?
- For ZIP code 79855, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Van Horn, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Van Horn, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79855?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 234 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.