Frost dates for ZIP 79735 (Fort Stockton, 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, Ft Stockton, TX (9 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)254 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°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
59°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 57°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Escalera Ranch Headquarters, 12 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 74°, Fri 64°.
4-inch depth
62°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 63°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Measured at TexMesonet (TWDB) station Escalera Ranch Headquarters, 12 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 75°, Fri 68°.
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 79735 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 62°F at 4 inches. Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: South Central plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Apr 23 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
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 25–Oct 23
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 9–Nov 6
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 9–Nov 6
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 20: 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) | Feb 16 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 8 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 1 |
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) | Nov 3 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 20 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 7 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 26 | Nov 9 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 8 | Nov 20 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 23 | Dec 1 |
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 79735
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 8) and first fall frost (Nov 20). 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 | Jan 11–25 | Mar 15–29 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 21 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Mar 22–Apr 5 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 21 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Mar 22–Apr 5 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 21 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 11–25 | Mar 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 11–25 | Feb 15–Mar 8 (transplant) Feb 8–Mar 22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 16 (transplant) Sep 11–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 25–Feb 15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 16 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 11–25 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) Feb 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (transplant) Aug 14–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 11–25 | Feb 8–Mar 8 (transplant) Feb 8–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (transplant) Aug 14–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 14–28 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 21 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 11–25 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) Feb 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 8–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 8–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Feb 22–Mar 15 (transplant) Feb 22–Mar 22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 8–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 15–Mar 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 1–Mar 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 8–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 15–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 11–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 14–28 | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 25–Feb 22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 14–28 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 9–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | Oct 9–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 15–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 22–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 29–Apr 19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 8–15 | Mar 15–29 (transplant) Mar 15–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 8–15 | Mar 15–29 (transplant) Mar 15–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 8–15 | Mar 15–29 (transplant) Mar 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 8–15 | Mar 22–Apr 5 (transplant) Mar 22–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 8–15 | Mar 22–Apr 5 (transplant) Mar 22–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 (transplant) Mar 22–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 14–28 | Mar 15–22 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Mar 15–29 (transplant) Mar 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 22–Mar 22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) Feb 15–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 9 (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 March 8 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Ft Stockton, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00413280), elevation 3,038 ft, 9.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Stockton Pecos AP, TX | 10 mi | Mar 8 | Nov 20 |
| Bakersfield, TX | 33 mi | Mar 22 | Nov 11 |
| Grandfalls 3SSE, TX | 36 mi | Apr 2 | Nov 3 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 25 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 79735
When is the last frost in 79735?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 79735 is March 8. For a more cautious planting date, use April 1, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 79735?
The average first fall freeze is November 20. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 3.
What hardiness zone is 79735?
ZIP 79735 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 79735 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
79730 Coyanosa 79743 Imperial 79742 Grandfalls 79752 McCamey 79731 Crane 79780 79777 Pyote 79756 Southwest Sandhill
Other ZIP codes in Pecos County
79730 79743 All Pecos County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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