Marathon, TX frost dates
Last spring frostApr 7median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season208 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Marathon compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Marathon falls between March 19 and April 26, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 18 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 23 days later than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 208-day growing season is longer than 7% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is 22 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 75 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 19 |
| 50% (median) | April 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 18 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 13 |
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 Marathon, TX
Marathon, TX frost dates — last frost Apr 7, first frost Nov 1, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 12
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Marathon, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 10 – Apr 14 | Sep 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Okra | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Basil | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 3 – Apr 14 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 18 – Nov 22 |
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 Marathon, TX weather station, 5 km away (elevation 3,990 ft (1,216 m)).
Frost dates near Marathon
- Alpine Apr 2 · Nov 3
- Sanderson Mar 11 · Nov 11
- Fort Davis Apr 5 · Nov 1
- Marfa Apr 14 · Oct 27
- Fort Stockton Mar 8 · Nov 20
- Big Bend National Park Mar 10 · Nov 19
- Toyahvale Mar 29 · Nov 9
- Balmorhea Mar 29 · Nov 9
- Terlingua Feb 21 · Nov 30
- Saragosa Mar 29 · Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Marathon, TX?
The median last spring frost in Marathon, TX is April 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 26, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Marathon, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 18.
How long is the growing season in Marathon, TX?
About 208 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Marathon, TX?
Marathon, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.