Ratcliff, TX frost dates
Last spring frostMar 2median date
First fall frostNov 26median date
Growing season269 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Ratcliff compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ratcliff falls between February 1 and March 24, a 51-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 4 and December 19.
- The median last frost is 13 days earlier than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 269-day growing season is longer than 80% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 9a, where the median is Mar 3.
- The weather station records an average of 26 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Tyler, TX, 110 km away, the last frost here is 5 days earlier than there and the growing season is 10 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 1 |
| 50% (median) | March 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 4 |
| 50% (median) | November 26 |
| 90% (late) | December 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 Ratcliff, TX
Ratcliff, TX frost dates — last frost Mar 2, first frost Nov 26, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 8 to Dec 22Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 19 to Feb 9Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Jan 19 to Feb 9Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 5
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 9Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 9Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Apr 6
Plant for fall: Nov 12 to Dec 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ratcliff, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 8 – Dec 22 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Feb 2 – Mar 9 | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Kale | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Broccoli | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Okra | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — |
| Basil | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 19 – Feb 9 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 19 – Feb 9 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 26 – Mar 9 | Oct 15 – Nov 5 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | — | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | — | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 9 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 9 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 16 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 12 – Dec 17 |
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 Groveton, TX weather station, 22 km away (elevation 351 ft (107 m)).
Frost dates near Ratcliff
- Kennard Mar 2 · Nov 26
- Centralia Mar 2 · Nov 26
- Wells Mar 19 · Nov 10
- Apple Springs Mar 2 · Nov 26
- Pennington Mar 2 · Nov 26
- Alto Mar 7 · Nov 25
- Crockett Mar 13 · Nov 17
- Pollok Mar 19 · Nov 10
- Grapeland Mar 13 · Nov 17
- Latexo Mar 13 · Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ratcliff, TX?
The median last spring frost in Ratcliff, TX is March 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ratcliff, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 4.
How long is the growing season in Ratcliff, TX?
About 269 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ratcliff, TX?
Ratcliff, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.