Tatum, TX frost dates
Last spring frostMar 11median date
First fall frostNov 17median date
Growing season251 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Tatum compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Tatum falls between February 20 and March 30, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 5.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 251-day growing season is longer than 59% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is 5 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 29 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Longview, TX, 26 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 10 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 20 |
| 50% (median) | March 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 17 |
| 90% (late) | December 5 |
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 Tatum, TX
Tatum, TX frost dates — last frost Mar 11, first frost Nov 17, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Plant for fall: Nov 3 to Dec 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Tatum, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 11 – Mar 18 | Sep 22 – Oct 20 |
| Kale | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Broccoli | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Okra | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Basil | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 28 – Feb 18 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 28 – Feb 18 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 18 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 3 – Dec 8 |
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 Longview Wsmo, TX weather station, 6 km away (elevation 407 ft (124 m)).
Frost dates near Tatum
- Easton Mar 15 · Nov 15
- Beckville Mar 8 · Nov 19
- Hallsville Mar 15 · Nov 15
- Henderson Mar 15 · Nov 16
- Longview Mar 7 · Nov 23
- Clayton Mar 8 · Nov 19
- Kilgore Mar 8 · Nov 17
- Laird Hill Mar 8 · Nov 17
- Carthage Mar 8 · Nov 19
- Long Branch Mar 8 · Nov 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Tatum, TX?
The median last spring frost in Tatum, TX is March 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Tatum, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Tatum, TX?
About 251 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Tatum, TX?
Tatum, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.