Merkel, TX frost dates
Last spring frostApr 2median date
First fall frostNov 3median date
Growing season215 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Merkel compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Merkel falls between March 15 and April 20, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 21 and November 18.
- The median last frost is 18 days later than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 215-day growing season is longer than 11% 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 68 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Abilene, TX, 24 km away, the last frost here is 13 days later than there and the growing season is 20 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 15 |
| 50% (median) | April 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 21 |
| 50% (median) | November 3 |
| 90% (late) | November 18 |
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 Merkel, TX
Merkel, TX frost dates — last frost Apr 2, first frost Nov 3, 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 8 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
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 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
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 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Transplant outside: Apr 16 to May 7
Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Merkel, 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 8 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| 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 11 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| 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 11 – Aug 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 20 – Nov 24 |
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 Merkel 12 Sw, TX weather station, 18 km away (elevation 2,251 ft (686 m)).
Frost dates near Merkel
- Tye Mar 20 · Nov 10
- Trent Apr 2 · Nov 3
- Dyess Afb Mar 20 · Nov 10
- Hawley Mar 31 · Nov 6
- Abilene Mar 20 · Nov 10
- Buffalo Gap Mar 20 · Nov 10
- Nolan Apr 2 · Nov 3
- Tuscola Mar 20 · Nov 10
- Anson Mar 31 · Nov 6
- Ovalo Apr 3 · Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Merkel, TX?
The median last spring frost in Merkel, 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 Merkel, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Merkel, TX?
About 215 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Merkel, TX?
Merkel, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.