Frost Dates for Big Spring, TX 79720
Last spring frost March 31 · First fall frost November 9 · 223 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 79720 has about 29,900 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Big Spring.
Long season: 223 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 14–April 17 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans October 22–November 26 (35 days).
Frost probability for 79720
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 17 | March 31 | March 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 22 | November 9 | November 26 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MIDLAND 4 ENE (52.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Big Spring, TX
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 79720 | March 31 | November 9 | 8a |
| 79721 | March 31 | November 9 | 8a |
Which crops fit a 223-day season in Big Spring
In Big Spring (223 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 24 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 181 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 14. | Jul 10 |
| Pepper | Feb 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 181 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 14. | Jul 15 |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 18 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 265 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 10. | Sep 7 |
| Cucumber | Mar 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Peas | — | Feb 3–Apr 14 | 286 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 3. | Aug 29 |
| Zucchini | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Onion | Jan 6 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 258 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 3–Mar 24 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 7 |
| Kale | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 258 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 3. | Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 272 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 272 available after Mar 3. | Sep 7 |
| Radish | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Oct 8 |
| Beets | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 244 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 9 | 328 | overwinter: Plant Nov 9 to Nov 30; harvest the following summer. | Nov 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 24–Apr 21 | 279 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 195 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 7. | Jul 22 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 188 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 14. | Jun 27 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 237 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 24. | Aug 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 17 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 272 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 272 available after Mar 3. | Aug 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 188 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 14. | Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 181 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 14. | Jul 20 |
| Okra | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Basil | Feb 24 | Apr 21–Apr 21 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 3–Mar 24 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Parsley | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 223 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 7. | Aug 24 |
| Celery | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 223 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 7. | Jul 5 |
| Scallions | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 3 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 18 |
| Collards | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 181 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 14. | Jul 5 |
| Chives | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 237 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 237 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Oregano | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 237 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 237 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 223 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Sage | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 237 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 237 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 237 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 237 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Cosmos | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Lavender | Jan 6 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 244 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Melons | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 181 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 14. | Jul 5 |
| Mint | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 244 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 202 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 7. | Aug 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 188 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 14. | Jul 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 209 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 31. | Aug 3 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 188 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 7. | Jul 15 |
| Watermelon | Mar 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 188 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 7. | Jul 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Zinnias | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
Month by month in Big Spring
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 6), Lavender (Jan 6), Onion (Jan 6), Rosemary (Jan 6), Celery (Jan 20), Collards (Jan 20), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 3), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 3), Cabbage (Feb 3), Lettuce (Feb 3), Sage (Feb 3), Swiss Chard (Feb 3), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 3), Beets (Feb 3), Dill (Feb 3), Peas (Feb 3), Radish (Feb 3), Spinach (Feb 3), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 24). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 3), Corn (Mar 3), Cosmos (Mar 3), Nasturtiums (Mar 3), Okra (Mar 3), Zinnias (Mar 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 3), Turnip (Mar 3), Carrots (Mar 10), Potatoes (Mar 17), Sunflowers (Mar 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 3), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 3), Cabbage (Mar 3), Collards (Mar 3), Kale (Mar 3), Lettuce (Mar 3), +12 more. Last frost around March 31. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 7), Pole Beans (Apr 7). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 7), Chives (Apr 7), Corn (Apr 7), Okra (Apr 7), Oregano (Apr 7), Parsley (Apr 7), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 27), Pumpkin (Jun 27). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 5), Celery (Jul 5), Melons (Jul 5), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 7), Tomato (Jul 10), Watermelon (Jul 10), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 3), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 8), Pole Beans (Aug 8), Basil (Aug 13), Cosmos (Aug 13), Cucumber (Aug 13), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 7), Carrots (Sep 7), Beets (Sep 8), Dill (Sep 8), Swiss Chard (Sep 8), Calendula (Sep 13), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 7), Spinach (Oct 7), Radish (Oct 8). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 9). First frost around November 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 30). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Big Spring, TX (ZIP 79720)?
The median last spring frost date for Big Spring, TX (ZIP code 79720) is around March 31. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 14; one in ten it runs past April 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Big Spring, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Big Spring, TX is around November 9. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 22 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Big Spring, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Big Spring is about 223 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Big Spring (223 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Big Spring, TX?
Big Spring, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Big Spring, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 24 and plant out Apr 14 in Big Spring. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Big Spring?
Two: plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16.
When do I plant garlic in Big Spring?
Nov 9 to Nov 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Big Spring?
Yes: plant out Apr 14 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 10 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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