Fall in zone 8aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 79734 (Fort Davis, 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, Mt Locke, TX (3 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 1650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)194 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8a10 to 15°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
60°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 60°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Cuervo Ranch (23 mi), Moon Ranch (32 mi), C.E. Miller (40 mi).
4-inch depth
63°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 65°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Cuervo Ranch (23 mi), Moon Ranch (32 mi), C.E. Miller (40 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 79734 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 63°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 Jun 1 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 29: 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 30 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 16 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 3 |
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 12 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 29 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 14 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 16 | Oct 29 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 3 | Nov 6 |
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 79734
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 29). 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 19–Mar 5 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 5–19 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 5–19 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Mar 26–Apr 16 (transplant) Mar 19–Apr 30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–24 (transplant) Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 5–26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–24 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) Mar 19–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) Jul 23–Aug 20 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Mar 19–Apr 16 (transplant) Mar 19–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) Jul 23–Aug 20 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 5–19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 5–19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 5–19 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 22–Feb 5 | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | Jul 9–30 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) Mar 19–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 19–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 19–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 19–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 5–19 | Apr 2–23 (transplant) Apr 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 19–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 26–Apr 23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 12–Apr 23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 19–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 26–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 19–Mar 19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 22–Feb 5 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 5–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 22–Feb 5 | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 17–Oct 15 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 5–19 (transplant) | Sep 17–Oct 15 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | Jul 9–23 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 19–26 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 19–26 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 19–26 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 19–26 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 19–26 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 5–19 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 22–Feb 5 | Apr 23–30 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 5–19 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 5–19 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) Mar 26–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (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 16 here (the average last frost). More on plants for Texas. Not affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Mt Locke, TX (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00416104), elevation 6,790 ft, 3.0 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Davis, TX | 8 mi | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
| Kent 8SE, TX | 24 mi | Mar 26 | Nov 11 |
| Alpine 7NW, TX | 25 mi | Mar 17 | Nov 19 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 30 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 79734
When is the last frost in 79734?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 79734 is April 16. For a more cautious planting date, use May 3, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 79734?
The average first fall freeze is October 29. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 12.
What hardiness zone is 79734?
ZIP 79734 is in USDA zone 8a (10 to 15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 79734 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
79718 Balmorhea 79832 Alpine 79780 79854 Valentine 79830 Alpine 79785 Toyah 79772 Pecos 79855 Van Horn
Other ZIP codes in Jeff Davis County
79854 All Jeff Davis County frost dates · Texas frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.