Frost dates for ZIP 79830 (Alpine, 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, Alpine 7NW, TX (14 miles away).
Use with caution
The nearest station is far away or at a very different elevation, so local dates may differ a lot.
- Average last spring frostMar 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)246 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
58°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 59°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Alamito Ranch (25 mi), Escalera Flat Farm (37 mi), Escalera Ranch Headquarters (49 mi).
4-inch depth
61°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 63°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Alamito Ranch (25 mi), Escalera Flat Farm (37 mi), Escalera Ranch Headquarters (49 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 79830 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 61°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: 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 May 2 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 24–Oct 22
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 8–Nov 5
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 8–Nov 5
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 19: 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 23 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 17 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 18 |
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 1 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 19 |
| 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) | Apr 4 | Nov 8 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 17 | Nov 19 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 1 | 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 79830
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 17) and first fall frost (Nov 19). 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 20–Feb 3 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 6–20 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 6–20 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 24–Mar 17 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 15 (transplant) Sep 10–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 15 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) Aug 13–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 17–Mar 17 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) Aug 13–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 6–20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 6–20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 6–20 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 17–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 3–17 | Mar 3–24 (transplant) Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 24–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 10–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 17–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 24–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 20–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 8–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 13 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 17–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 17–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 17–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 17–24 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 17–24 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Mar 24–31 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 3–17 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 6–20 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (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 17 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Alpine 7NW, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00410176), elevation 4,922 ft, 14.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine, TX | 12 mi | Apr 2 | Nov 3 |
| Marathon, TX | 21 mi | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| Marfa 3W, TX | 27 mi | Apr 14 | Oct 27 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 28 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 79830
When is the last frost in 79830?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 79830 is March 17. For a more cautious planting date, use April 18, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 79830?
The average first fall freeze is November 19. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 1.
What hardiness zone is 79830?
ZIP 79830 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 79830 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
79832 Alpine 79842 Marathon 79734 Fort Davis 79843 Marfa 79718 Balmorhea 79780 79852 Terlingua 79845 Presidio
Other ZIP codes in Brewster County
79832 79834 79842 79852 All Brewster County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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