Palmer, TX frost dates
Last spring frostMar 12median date
First fall frostNov 19median date
Growing season252 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Palmer compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Palmer falls between February 21 and March 31, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 2 and December 6.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 252-day growing season is longer than 61% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is 4 days earlier 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 40 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Desoto, TX, 24 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 12 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 21 |
| 50% (median) | March 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 2 |
| 50% (median) | November 19 |
| 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 Palmer, TX
Palmer, TX frost dates — last frost Mar 12, first frost Nov 19, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 16
Plant for fall: Nov 5 to Dec 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Palmer, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 12 – Mar 19 | Sep 24 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Broccoli | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Okra | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Basil | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 5 – Mar 19 | Oct 8 – Oct 29 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 5 – Dec 10 |
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 Ferris, TX weather station, 11 km away (elevation 469 ft (143 m)).
Frost dates near Palmer
- Ferris Mar 12 · Nov 19
- Ennis Mar 8 · Nov 21
- Red Oak Mar 16 · Nov 16
- Waxahachie Mar 16 · Nov 16
- Wilmer Mar 12 · Nov 19
- Bardwell Mar 8 · Nov 21
- Lancaster Mar 6 · Nov 25
- Rosser Mar 16 · Nov 14
- Hutchins Mar 12 · Nov 19
- Desoto Mar 6 · Nov 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Palmer, TX?
The median last spring frost in Palmer, TX is March 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Palmer, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 2.
How long is the growing season in Palmer, TX?
About 252 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Palmer, TX?
Palmer, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.