Clayton, TX frost dates
Last spring frostMar 8median date
First fall frostNov 19median date
Growing season256 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Clayton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Clayton falls between February 19 and March 31, a 40-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 2 and December 8.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 256-day growing season is longer than 66% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is 8 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 39 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Longview, TX, 52 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is 5 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 19 |
| 50% (median) | March 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 2 |
| 50% (median) | November 19 |
| 90% (late) | December 8 |
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 Clayton, TX
Clayton, TX frost dates — last frost Mar 8, first frost Nov 19, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 14 to Dec 28Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22
Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Jan 25 to Feb 15Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Jan 25 to Feb 15Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 12
Plant for fall: Nov 5 to Dec 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Clayton, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 8 – Mar 15 | Sep 24 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Broccoli | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Okra | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — |
| Basil | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 25 – Feb 15 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 25 – Feb 15 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 1 – Mar 15 | Oct 8 – Oct 29 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 22 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| 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 Carthage, TX weather station, 16 km away (elevation 305 ft (93 m)).
Frost dates near Clayton
- Long Branch Mar 8 · Nov 19
- Gary Mar 8 · Nov 19
- Carthage Mar 8 · Nov 19
- Beckville Mar 8 · Nov 19
- Minden Mar 15 · Nov 16
- Mount Enterprise Mar 13 · Nov 17
- Timpson Mar 13 · Nov 15
- Tatum Mar 11 · Nov 17
- Henderson Mar 15 · Nov 16
- Tenaha Mar 13 · Nov 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Clayton, TX?
The median last spring frost in Clayton, TX is March 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Clayton, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 2.
How long is the growing season in Clayton, TX?
About 256 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Clayton, TX?
Clayton, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.