Fall in zone 7aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 79103 (Amarillo, 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, Amarillo, TX (6 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)195 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 18, 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 53°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Bushland #1 (17 mi).
4-inch depth
58°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 59°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Bushland #1 (17 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 79103 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 58°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 May 29 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 27: 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) | Mar 29 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 13 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 29 |
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 14 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 27 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 8 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 25 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 13 | Oct 27 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 2 | Nov 5 |
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 79103
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 13) and first fall frost (Oct 27). 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 16–Mar 2 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 2–16 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 2–16 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Mar 23–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 16–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–22 (transplant) Aug 18–Sep 15 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–22 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) Mar 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–Sep 1 (transplant) Jul 21–Aug 18 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Mar 16–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 16–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–Sep 1 (transplant) Jul 21–Aug 18 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 2–16 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | Jul 21–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 2–16 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | Jul 21–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Jul 21–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | Jul 7–28 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) Mar 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 16–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–29 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 16–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 20 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 16–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 9–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 16–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 23–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 16–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 15–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | Jul 7–21 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 4–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 16–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 16–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 16–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 16–23 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 16–23 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 2–16 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Apr 20–27 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 2–16 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 30–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 15 (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 13 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Amarillo, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00023047), elevation 3,587 ft, 6.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo 7ENE, TX | 6 mi | Apr 15 | Oct 29 |
| Canyon, TX | 16 mi | Apr 15 | Oct 25 |
| Bushland 1 WSW, TX | 16 mi | Apr 22 | Oct 21 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 9 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 79103
When is the last frost in 79103?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 79103 is April 13. For a more cautious planting date, use April 29, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 79103?
The average first fall freeze is October 27. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 14.
What hardiness zone is 79103?
ZIP 79103 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 79103 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
79104 Amarillo 79101 Amarillo 79102 Amarillo 79107 Amarillo 79110 Amarillo 79109 Amarillo 79106 Amarillo 79111 Amarillo
Other ZIP codes in Potter County
79010 79058 79101 79102 79104 79106 79107 79108 79111 79124 All Potter County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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