Dale, TX frost dates
Last spring frostMar 14median date
First fall frostNov 19median date
Growing season250 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Dale compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Dale falls between February 22 and April 3, a 40-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 31 and December 8.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 250-day growing season is longer than 58% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is 11 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 38 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with San Marcos, TX, 38 km away, the last frost here is 14 days later than there and the growing season is 24 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 22 |
| 50% (median) | March 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 31 |
| 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 Dale, TX
Dale, TX frost dates — last frost Mar 14, first frost Nov 19, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 21Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 21Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 18
Plant for fall: Nov 5 to Dec 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dale, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 14 – Mar 21 | Sep 24 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Broccoli | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Okra | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Basil | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 31 – Feb 21 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 31 – Feb 21 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 7 – Mar 21 | Oct 8 – Oct 29 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 21 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 21 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| 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 Cedar Creek 5 S, TX weather station, 12 km away (elevation 436 ft (133 m)).
Frost dates near Dale
- Lockhart Mar 5 · Nov 23
- Red Rock Mar 14 · Nov 19
- Cedar Creek Mar 14 · Nov 19
- Maxwell Feb 28 · Nov 29
- Del Valle Mar 12 · Nov 16
- Kyle Feb 28 · Nov 29
- Rosanky Mar 12 · Nov 19
- Fentress Mar 5 · Nov 23
- Martindale Feb 28 · Nov 29
- Prairie Lea Mar 5 · Nov 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dale, TX?
The median last spring frost in Dale, TX is March 14. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 3, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Dale, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 31.
How long is the growing season in Dale, TX?
About 250 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dale, TX?
Dale, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.