Plains, TX frost dates
Last spring frostApr 11median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season204 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Plains compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Plains falls between March 26 and April 27, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 17 and November 11.
- The median last frost is 27 days later than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 204-day growing season is longer than 6% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is 6 days later than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 99 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lubbock, TX, 99 km away, the last frost here is 18 days later than there and the growing season is 28 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 26 |
| 50% (median) | April 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 17 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 11 |
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 Plains, TX
Plains, TX frost dates — last frost Apr 11, first frost Nov 1, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 16
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Plains, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 14 – Apr 18 | Sep 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Okra | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Basil | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 18 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — | — |
| 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 Plains, TX weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 3,675 ft (1,120 m)).
Frost dates near Plains
- Tokio Apr 11 · Nov 1
- Denver City Apr 7 · Nov 4
- Seagraves Apr 7 · Nov 4
- Wellman Apr 3 · Nov 4
- Sundown Apr 9 · Nov 1
- Loop Apr 2 · Nov 6
- Bledsoe Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Whiteface Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Brownfield Apr 3 · Nov 4
- Seminole Apr 2 · Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Plains, TX?
The median last spring frost in Plains, TX is April 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Plains, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Plains, TX?
About 204 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Plains, TX?
Plains, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.