Elkhart, TX frost dates
Last spring frostMar 23median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season231 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Elkhart compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Elkhart falls between March 2 and April 9, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 28 and November 29.
- The median last frost is 8 days later than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 231-day growing season is longer than 27% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is 7 days later 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 38 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Tyler, TX, 84 km away, the last frost here is 16 days later than there and the growing season is 28 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 2 |
| 50% (median) | March 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 28 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | November 29 |
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 Elkhart, TX
Elkhart, TX frost dates — last frost Mar 23, first frost Nov 9, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Elkhart, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Feb 23 – Mar 30 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Basil | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 30 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 30 |
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 Palestine 2 Ne, TX weather station, 16 km away (elevation 466 ft (142 m)).
Frost dates near Elkhart
- Palestine Mar 23 · Nov 9
- Grapeland Mar 13 · Nov 17
- Neches Mar 23 · Nov 9
- Oakwood Mar 12 · Nov 19
- Latexo Mar 13 · Nov 17
- Maydelle Mar 7 · Nov 25
- Montalba Mar 12 · Nov 19
- Tennessee Colony Mar 12 · Nov 19
- Crockett Mar 13 · Nov 17
- Jacksonville Mar 22 · Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Elkhart, TX?
The median last spring frost in Elkhart, TX is March 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Elkhart, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 28.
How long is the growing season in Elkhart, TX?
About 231 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Elkhart, TX?
Elkhart, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.