Dawson, TX frost dates
Last spring frostMar 13median date
First fall frostNov 14median date
Growing season246 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Dawson compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Dawson falls between February 19 and April 3, a 43-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 30 and December 6.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 246-day growing season is longer than 51% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8b, where the median is Mar 16.
- The weather station records an average of 44 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Waco, TX, 57 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 10 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 19 |
| 50% (median) | March 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 30 |
| 50% (median) | November 14 |
| 90% (late) | December 6 |
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 Dawson, TX
Dawson, TX frost dates — last frost Mar 13, first frost Nov 14, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Feb 13 to Feb 27
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 13 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Plant for fall: Oct 31 to Dec 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dawson, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Feb 13 – Mar 20 | Sep 19 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Broccoli | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Okra | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Basil | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 6 – Mar 20 | Oct 3 – Oct 24 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 20 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 20 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 31 – Dec 5 |
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 Navarro Mills Dam, TX weather station, 7 km away (elevation 453 ft (138 m)).
Frost dates near Dawson
- Hubbard Mar 13 · Nov 14
- Purdon Mar 13 · Nov 14
- Frost Mar 13 · Nov 14
- Malone Mar 13 · Nov 14
- Coolidge Mar 13 · Nov 22
- Irene Mar 13 · Nov 14
- Blooming Grove Mar 13 · Nov 14
- Penelope Mar 21 · Nov 10
- Tehuacana Mar 13 · Nov 22
- Mertens Mar 21 · Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dawson, TX?
The median last spring frost in Dawson, TX is March 13. 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 Dawson, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 30.
How long is the growing season in Dawson, TX?
About 246 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dawson, TX?
Dawson, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.