Frost dates for ZIP 79013 (Cactus, TX)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Dumas, TX (12 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 2150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)183 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7a0 to 5°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
54°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 56°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Goodwell 2 SE (42 mi), Goodwell 2 E (45 mi), Bushland #1 (60 mi).
4-inch depth
57°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 59°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Goodwell 2 SE (42 mi), Goodwell 2 E (45 mi), Bushland #1 (60 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 79013 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 57°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Transition zone. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Jun 6 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 24: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 4 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 21 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 9 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 5 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 24 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 5 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 2 | Oct 14 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 21 | Oct 24 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 10 | Nov 2 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 79013
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 24). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 10–24 | May 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 10–24 | May 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Mar 31–Apr 21 (transplant) Mar 24–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 19 (transplant) Aug 15–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 10–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 19 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–29 (transplant) Jul 18–Aug 15 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Mar 24–Apr 21 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–29 (transplant) Jul 18–Aug 15 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 10–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 10–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 10–24 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Jul 4–25 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 24–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 26 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 24–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 10–24 | Apr 7–28 (transplant) Apr 7–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 24–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 31–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 17–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 24–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 31–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 24–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 10–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 12–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | Sep 12–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Jul 4–18 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 12–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 24–31 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 24–31 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 24–31 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 24–31 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 24–31 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 10–24 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Apr 28–May 5 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 10–24 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 7–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 10–24 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 12 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Texas A&M AgriLife trials name plants that handle Texas conditions: the Texas Superstar® list and the low-care roses from AgriLife trials. Plant frost-tender annuals after April 21 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Dumas, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00412617), elevation 3,655 ft, 11.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartley, TX | 24 mi | Apr 22 | Oct 24 |
| Stratford, TX | 28 mi | Apr 21 | Oct 21 |
| Dalhart, TX | 29 mi | Apr 28 | Oct 20 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 7 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 79013
When is the last frost in 79013?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 79013 is April 21. For a more cautious planting date, use May 9, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 79013?
The average first fall freeze is October 24. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 5.
What hardiness zone is 79013?
ZIP 79013 is in USDA zone 7a (0 to 5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 79013 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
79029 Dumas 79086 Sunray 79084 Stratford 79044 Hartley 79062 Morse 79040 Gruver 79083 Stinnett 79018 Channing
Other ZIP codes in Moore County
79029 All Moore County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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