Carlsbad, TX frost dates
Last spring frostApr 6median date
First fall frostNov 2median date
Growing season210 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Carlsbad compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Carlsbad falls between March 14 and April 24, a 41-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 18 and November 16.
- The median last frost is 22 days later than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 210-day growing season is longer than 8% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is 8 days later than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 74 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with San Angelo, TX, 28 km away, the last frost here is 17 days later than there and the growing season is 25 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 14 |
| 50% (median) | April 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 18 |
| 50% (median) | November 2 |
| 90% (late) | November 16 |
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 Carlsbad, TX
Carlsbad, TX frost dates — last frost Apr 6, first frost Nov 2, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 11
Plant for fall: Oct 19 to Nov 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Carlsbad, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 9 – Apr 13 | Sep 7 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Broccoli | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Okra | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Basil | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 2 – Apr 13 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 19 – Nov 23 |
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 Water Valley, TX weather station, 8 km away (elevation 2,116 ft (645 m)).
Frost dates near Carlsbad
- Water Valley Apr 6 · Nov 2
- San Angelo Mar 20 · Nov 10
- Goodfellow Afb Mar 20 · Nov 10
- Robert Lee Mar 26 · Nov 7
- Tennyson Mar 26 · Nov 7
- Sterling City Mar 31 · Nov 6
- Mertzon Apr 1 · Nov 4
- Veribest Mar 20 · Nov 10
- Knickerbocker Mar 22 · Nov 10
- Wall Mar 20 · Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Carlsbad, TX?
The median last spring frost in Carlsbad, TX is April 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Carlsbad, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 18.
How long is the growing season in Carlsbad, TX?
About 210 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Carlsbad, TX?
Carlsbad, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.