Garden City, TX frost dates
Last spring frostApr 2median date
First fall frostNov 5median date
Growing season217 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Garden City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Garden City falls between March 16 and April 20, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 21 and November 19.
- The median last frost is 18 days later than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 217-day growing season is longer than 13% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is 4 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 73 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Midland, TX, 52 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 11 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 21 |
| 50% (median) | November 5 |
| 90% (late) | November 19 |
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 Garden City, TX
Garden City, TX frost dates — last frost Apr 2, first frost Nov 5, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Transplant outside: Apr 16 to May 7
Plant for fall: Oct 22 to Nov 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Garden City, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 5 – Apr 9 | Sep 10 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Okra | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Basil | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 22 – Nov 26 |
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 Garden City, TX weather station, 5 km away (elevation 2,654 ft (809 m)).
Frost dates near Garden City
- Forsan Mar 20 · Nov 13
- Stanton Mar 26 · Nov 9
- Big Lake Mar 20 · Nov 14
- Big Spring Mar 20 · Nov 13
- Sterling City Mar 31 · Nov 6
- Midkiff Mar 16 · Nov 16
- Midland Mar 26 · Nov 9
- Coahoma Mar 20 · Nov 13
- Lenorah Mar 26 · Nov 9
- Knott Mar 20 · Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Garden City, TX?
The median last spring frost in Garden City, TX is April 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Garden City, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Garden City, TX?
About 217 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Garden City, TX?
Garden City, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.