Big Bend National Park, TX frost dates
Last spring frostMar 10median date
First fall frostNov 19median date
Growing season254 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Big Bend National Park compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Big Bend National Park falls between February 12 and April 6, a 53-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 29 and December 9.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 254-day growing season is longer than 63% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 29 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 12 |
| 50% (median) | March 10 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 29 |
| 50% (median) | November 19 |
| 90% (late) | December 9 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Big Bend National Park, TX
Big Bend National Park, TX frost dates — last frost Mar 10, first frost Nov 19, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 16 to Dec 30Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Jan 27 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Jan 27 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 17Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 17Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 14
Plant for fall: Nov 5 to Dec 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Big Bend National Park, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Feb 10 – Mar 17 | Sep 24 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Broccoli | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Okra | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Basil | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 27 – Feb 17 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 27 – Feb 17 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 3 – Mar 17 | Oct 8 – Oct 29 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 10 – Feb 17 | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 10 – Feb 17 | — | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 10 – Feb 17 | — | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 10 – Feb 17 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 17 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 17 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 24 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 5 – Dec 10 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Chisos Basin, TX weather station, 2 km away (elevation 5,299 ft (1,615 m)).
Frost dates near Big Bend National Park
- Terlingua Feb 21 · Nov 30
- Redford Mar 21 · Nov 11
- Marathon Apr 7 · Nov 1
- Presidio Feb 23 · Nov 26
- Alpine Apr 2 · Nov 3
- Sanderson Mar 11 · Nov 11
- Marfa Apr 14 · Oct 27
- Dryden Mar 1 · Nov 28
- Fort Davis Apr 5 · Nov 1
- Langtry Feb 27 · Nov 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Big Bend National Park, TX?
The median last spring frost in Big Bend National Park, TX is March 10. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Big Bend National Park, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 29.
How long is the growing season in Big Bend National Park, TX?
About 254 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Big Bend National Park, TX?
Big Bend National Park, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.